Friday, July 1, 2011

American Authors, The Flag & Freedom



Hooray for the red, white and blue

for the stars n’ stripes that

wave so proudly from

pillar and post, from

 roof top and Cemetery grave,

From city park and baseball

field, and to the

Republic for which it stands;

For the parade of citizens

of every nationality, language

and color of skin

We the people. Not the politician,

pundit, or demagogue.

We the people—our voices heard

Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Religion

Freedom from Want

Freedom from Fear

Democracy.

Orators and statesmen,  proclaim

It loud, proclaim it clear

“One nation under God, indivisible,

With liberty and justice for all”

Our pledge of allegiance  - cherish the

words, hold it dear.


Since Monday is 4th of July, and we observe and celebrate the day with barbecue, picnics, and fireworks; Salute the flag and everything USA, and because WNI is a blog dedicated to writers and writing,  I thought I would mention a few favorite authors whose prose and style are uniquely American.  Whittier, Whitman, Dickinson, Twain, Crane, Sandburg and  Poe;  Robert Frost, and  the poem he wrote for Kennedy’s inauguration :


To break with followers when in the wrong,
A healthy independence of the throng,
A democratic form of right divine
To rule first answerable to high design


And in The Gift Outright ,  Frost prophetically   writes,


To the land vaguely realizing westward,
But still unstoried, artless, unenhanced,
Such as she was, such as she would become.


Since the birth of our nation, there have been  many writers we acclaim, and hold in high esteem—Franklin, Jefferson and Paine, who wrote of liberty and lofty goals.  James Fenimore Cooper, Melville and Hawthorne—bringing to life The Last of the Mohicans , a menacing whale, and witch trials. Faulkner, Fitzgerald, Hemingway;  Willa Cather, and Little Women’s , Louisa May  Alcott. 

Each one presents, and helps preserve a slice of Americana through the  stories they write. They tell us about the lay of the land during  certain time and space,  of people and places , prejudice 
and  great generosity -  the challenges of life, choosing good over evil. Always, a call to freedom of spirit prevails. 

So, this  4th of July, along with cheering  fireworks bursting bright,  I encourage you to read a book by an American author, who also  sheds a light— a light of knowledge and  imagination about our America; Who we were, who we are—  


To all of you, Happy 4th of July ! Let Freedom Ring.




For a short bio and  list of American authors visit:

Public.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/aufram.html


3 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for shining your light on America and American writers, Kathy. Lee Greenwood's words in his song "God Bless the USA" never fail to inspire me and give me pause for thought on the blessing of being an American.

From Greenwood's lyrics:
And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

Jennifer Rova said...

Let's leave this post prominent until July 5. It is so appropriate especially in these days of political unrest around the world. Many authors have written their beliefs and stood by them even while in prison or under house arrest. America was founded on freedom to express and live what we think is fair and just. Kathy's post was an excellent reminder of why we have b-b-ques and sparklers.

Elizabeth Smythe Brinton said...

We all decided that this post could not be topped. Happy Fourth of July to everyone!
We arrived in Idaho on July 3rd 1989, pretty late in the evening. Our neighbors came over and invited us to their luncheon on the fourth. Twenty two years later, we are on their deck again celebrating our friendship and the holiday together as always.