Your lyrical breadth still amazes me.
You melded your words with Lee, Franklin and
Adams, the Dutch Republic’s stern decree,
phrases from Virginia’s draft—even planned
to resolve slavery’s end 'til the South
threatened our document’s death. Still, your Muse
scalded the king with such scorn, every mouth
surely fell, hearing depths of his abuse.
McNair tacked up one of Dunlap’s broadsides
in Independence Hall’s courtyard, the first
reading outside Congress. Did you decide
alone to close your work with sacred verse?
Pledging lives, fortunes, honor, your voice rose.
"Leaders" today rasp in empty echoes.
Roger Armbrust
July 4, 2007
