We Are One

Upon the Pillars of Equality

we stand as one

in our same God-given humanness

woven into an image that is magnified by the light of our soul.

Built upon a foundation of order, structure, intellect and will,

our history sprang forth from the fertile soils of Ethiopia,

nurtured by the birth-giving waters of the Tigress Euphrates,

the life-giving spirit of the Red Sea

and the majestic beauty of the Mediterranean.

We traversed the great, untamed waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans.

Together we rose!

Ushered by the four winds,

suspended in hope and despair, joy and sorrow, bravery and fear.

We endured the most calamitous tests of nature,

led by faith and brotherly love.

We sailed from many nations to build one nation, together.

We are one.

Upon the shores of this new land,

we planted our feet as strangers in search of hope and freedom,

land and resources,

growth and independence.

We pushed forward in conquest and victory.

We destroyed to build anew,

labored to fortify our homes and Families,

tilled the soils to fill our bellies.

We extended a hand of friendship to the dwellers of this new land.

We learned their language and taught them ours.

We traded goods for goods.

We stood firm in the face of adversity.

We endured warring foes to secure our place.

We built armies and allegiance;

schools and places of worship;

enjoyed playgrounds and hunting grounds.

Above all, we put God first.

In the name of independence, we stood together.

We are one.

Like the magnificent rainbow, our race arch across the land in a rich bounty of colors,

mixing blood and cultures,

holding hands and singing.

When our souls stir, in that quiet moment, we listen to that voice,

echoing across those restless waters

that ushered us from our mother lands

to this great land together.

We are one.

We are Americans.

God bless America.