The Spirit

A Verse by Art Fettig – Copyright © 1987 Art Fettig

Of 1776, what was the spirit?
Revolution? Freedom? Independence?
No. I think the prevailing spirit
Was selling.
Selling one another. Selling like selling
Had never been done before. Or since.
Salesmen saying, “But as for me,
Give me liberty or give me death.”
Saying, “I only regret that I have but one life
To give for my country.”
Saying, “Let us all hang together,
Or assuredly we will hang alone. “
And signing, “We mutually pledge to each other
Our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. ”
Selling the world an exciting concept; that men,
And women, could rule their own destiny.
And what is wrong with America today
Will be made right again with selling.
Selling the dedication and devotion and
That mutual concern that made it all begin.