A Prayer to Liberty

Burn bright, eternal flame of Liberty,
Beckoning fire from Equality’s hearth;
Banish the dark with each patriot’s spark.
Hold high, Lady, your torch for Truth,
light the Paths that lead toward peaceful revolution.

Tower of Hope, enshrined at Freedom’s forge:
Beacon for all your boundless welcoming;
But signal cold alarm to petty crowns,
Repressive rule and truthless tyranny.
Colossus cherished ’cross the oceans’ span:
Bestride the downtrod, the weak and weary uplift;
Forever stand to mark where chains end
and whips can’t reach.

Steadfast sentry, temple of Trust in God,
May you always the happy haven be
For immigrating dreams and exiled thought.
Endowed with birthrights for Posterity,
Grant your bounty to all who come denied.

Consort to Justice, visioned with restless Vigilance:
Awake your democracies
To shame the lying fetters off sweet-masked Oppression;
Enkindle resolution To swiftly brand terror’s hooded minions;
Yet allow us never to tire of priceless speech
Nor suffer one to be lost in bondage evermore.

© 1986 by John B. Holtz