America

By Maya Angelou


The gold of her promise
           has never been mined

Her borders of justice
           not clearly defined

Her crops of abundance
           the fruit and the grain

Have not fed the hungry
           nor eased that deep pain

Her proud declarations
           are leaves on the wind

Her southern exposure
           black death did befriend

Discover this country
           dead countries cry

Erect noble tablets
           where none can decry

"She kills her bright future
           and rapes for a sou

Then entraps her children
           with legends untrue"

I beg you
Discover this country.