I've preached, taught, and written more times than others care to hear;

"Stop putting into the world what you 
DO NOT want,
DO NOT like,
Cannot tolerate. 
Scream instead into the universal void,
What it is that you believe, 
What you want,
What you will stand for until your dying days.
DO NOT give more power to,
DO NOT give louder voice to,
DO NOT add to,
The ugly, the hate, the fire."

Today I cry out as I seek to heed my own words.

Where is America?

I want the America that I was taught in my youth,
Was an America where
Freedom, liberty, and justice
Were founding ideals.
I want that America.
The America
Where everyone belonged,
And the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses,
Weren't just welcome,
But invited.

I want that America.
I want that America in the same way I want Santa Claus.
A sweet childhood idea, 
That only becomes a reality 
When we make it so.

I want all people to have a warm, comfortable, 
Safe space to sleep.
I want empty stomach, filled.
I want the naked to be clothed.
The frightened to be comforted,
The shivering to be warmed.
I want people walking on our streets,
To reach their destination undelayed; unharmed.
I want those who struggle in anyway,
To be met with dignity, equity, and humanity.

I want those who yield power,
To use it wisely,
To use it justly,
To use it mercifully.

Better yet, I want those who yield power,
To lay it down and help their fellow beings.

Oh, and I want all of my drinks served
At room temperature.