The Defoliation of America

The Defoliation of America

America, in simile,
is often compared to a tree;
its strong limbs stretch from sea to sea
with shining leaves of liberty.

A cold wind now blows in the air;
the branches are becoming bare
as, bit by bit, our freedoms fade,
the brightness dulls as if decayed.

“We’re check and balance,” Congress said,
then looked away and hid their head.
Power and money’s what they serve.
Their forgotten oath: “Protect. Preserve” …
         and another leaf falls.

We’ve cut taxes! Yell “Amen!”
Dollars for you – millions for them.
We’ll spin it right, needless to say,
you’ll never know but your kids will pay.
         and another leaf falls.

“Give me your tired…” the poet wrote.
There is no mention of God in the quote.
If you pray to a god we don’t understand
then it’s blasphemy and your entrance banned…
         and another leaf falls.

“The news is fake!” goes up the cry;
no separating truth from lie.
Alternatives to fact, they say
while we are slowly led astray …
         and another leaf falls.

“Law enforcement! Hold them high.”
But, not, of course, the FBI
nor even those in the D.O.J. -
keep investigations far away …
         and another leaf falls.

The list grows longer every day.
Yes, we can protest, even pray
but in America, there’s just one truth:
We wield our power in the voting booth.
         Save the tree!

An entry for the July round of "Poetic Traditions Poetry Contest " 
Line limit: 50
Line count: 38
Form: Quatrain   using a AABB rhyme.
and a hanging line