Defining Moments

Within Awakenings from Then 'til Now is reference to many defining moments embedded in America's history. Of course, to list all such moments in one volume is virtually impossible. Here are but a few with reflections from Awakenings poetry:

Embrace the Past . . .

Early Modern Period: The Seventeenth Century (1600 -1699)…

"The First Thanksgiving," a painting by J.L.G. Ferris,
depicts America’s early settlers and Native Americans celebrating a bountiful harvest.

...A good harvest notwithstanding

A threatening drought or fire

Blesses our spirit to survive

 

A willingness to share

Looking out for one another 
Keeps spirits strong and alive 

[Excerpt from A Song of Thanksgiving (Behold the Blessings)]

Age of Reason & Change: The Eighteenth Century (1700 -1799)…

 The Boston Tea Party. The birth of a Nation.

Boston Harbor, December 16, 1773

“A crumpet with your tea?”

Not the question, nor a social party
When three shiploads of tea
Were dumped freely into Boston harbor...

 
...Thinly disguised as Indians, hatches in hand
Following the order of Leonard PItt
The fuse that led directly to the explosion
Of American Independence was lit!  

[Excerpt from The Boston Tea Party]

 Realism & Romanticism: The Nineteenth Century (1800 -1899)…

The Civil War. A split of a Nation.

October 3, 1862. Lincoln is shown standing on the Battlefield of Antietam.

 Take a myriad of steps back in time

When brother fought against brother

An era that terrified the country

Every father, every mother...

...Walk in the footsteps of history

Relive vivid stories that do declare

Tales of morbid pain and suffering
As well as humor in times of despair

[Excerpt from Footsteps of History]

Real amazing American Civil War Pictures from the 1860's

Nature of Change: The Twentieth Century (1900 -1999)…

World War II (WWII)

General Eisenhower Speaking to Paratroopers before the D-Day Invasion June 5, 1944, one day before the Allied Invasion of Europe on the beaches of Normandy

A vile campaign to end conquest

Sent our men into battle for liberation

Beaches under incessant fire

Marked heavy casualties and desecration...

...Survivors will always remember war’s wrath

Lives of friend and foe lost along the way

Remain with time embedded in the terror

Of the sights, the sounds, the smells of D-Day  

[Excerpt from The Longest Day]

Synergy & Conflict: The Twenty-First Century (2000 - Present)…

The Best Sites To Help Teach About 9/11

A lifeless cloud descended
Upon a splendid city
Raining hatred and terror
Without regard or pity...
 
...That dismal, dark day in history

Brought about a stark reality
America is vulnerable
 Amidst gracious hospitality  

[Excerpt from Reality in Darkness]

Empower the Present . . .

Today America is still embedded in conflict, home and abroad. Here at home are multiple issues among which are varying opinions: Flailing economy, housing crisis, marriage rights, decline of privacy, massive regulatory burdens, ending the drug war, broken two-party system, unfunded liabilities, military status and veteran affairs, the collapsing dollar, restoring the Constitution, etc. Additional problems facing America include government size and spending, runaway deficit and lack of responsibility, increase in immorality especially in the media, decline in literacy and education, weakening of the traditional family. 

Empowerment lies in maintaining the freedom (all freedoms) sought and fought for in the bloody battles of the past. Some reports state it is difficult to hold the country to standards set forth by our forefathers in 1776. Even within the greatest of difficulty one should not lose sight of the purpose of We the People! What's so hard about that? Each of us has a voice and that voice no longer needs to remain silent.

Enrich the Future . . .

 

America was once known as the 'land of opportunity'. Is that still the case?

With opportunity comes responsibility
The demand for ethical leadership
With values, honesty, integrity outdated
Will the next step be total censorship?

 

A time to break silence 
Stand up, be tough!
A voice inside our heads
 Cries out—Enough!  
[Excerpt from Voice of America: Change?] 

In order to enrich the future of America, isn't it going to be important to ensure a productive future for our youth? After all, the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow! But, how can today's fledglings gain the experience they need in a jobless market where even their parents cannot find work? Perhaps we as a nation should establish our own defining moment which will once again return America to her roots of growth and prosperity. 

"Defining moments occur when we direct our lives onto a new pathway, borne of an illuminating insight and an expanded awareness." ~Mel Swartz