I have started to 'do' this so many times and find that I become so totally immersed in the poem that I forget the job in hand!

Here goes..... I find that the opening lines draw the listeners in; we think, "That's me...", "You're right!", "Yes, I can understand that!"

As the poem progresses, it homes in on specific situations, personal insights, the important, although seemingly insignificant, minutiae of Life.

Stanzas 1 & 2 are in the first person, then 3,4 & 5 in the third; 6 & 7 revert back to the first person - 'We', then, more specifically the first person singular - 'I' in the 8th, until the final stanzas speak of achievements, challenges, hopes, aspirations........

I understand, when I try to analyse this, albeit very crudely, why I can't!! I am just enjoying the read so much!!

On a personal note, I love poetry which is written in my language, which speaks of things within my experience, which makes me feel like I know what's going on.

This poem does that.

I am not American, but if I were, and if I were there to hear this, I would have stood strong and proud, with tears in my eyes.

joanie