“We have a republic, if you can keep it!”
to quote Ben Franklin, a founding father;
patriotism was his badge of honor.
Immigrants come, none desire to leave;
she’s flawed, yet best free country to claim —
ours is a republic, if we can keep it!
Paid agitators stir up trouble to divide,
we must hang together (or die separately)
to quote Ben Franklin, our founding father
Let’s observe America’s 250th birthday,
celebrate together stars & stripes forever
since patriotism is a badge of honor!
The cascade is not a difficult form to understand. You will use each line from your first stanza in subsequent stanzas. For example, if your first stanza is three lines, your will have four stanzas. The first line of your first stanza becomes the last line of the second stanza. The second line of the first stanza becomes the last line of your second stanza, and so on. – Merril hosts MTB at dVerse
a poem in my pocket 
Feb 11, 2026 @ 03:53:01
Wow, 250 years!! Definitely something to celebrate!
Feb 11, 2026 @ 18:06:54
❤
Feb 10, 2026 @ 01:48:54
I think the biggest threat to the republic is the way all the grievanances in the declaration of indpendence is back again… just my view.
Feb 10, 2026 @ 10:11:08
I appreciate your viewpoint, Bjorn…I hope it’s not too late.
Feb 07, 2026 @ 13:20:14
Your poem reminded me of the lyrics of America the Beautiful. She still is beautiful, even in all her tragedies and triumphs. “God shed his grace on thee,” as the lyrics say.
Feb 07, 2026 @ 16:20:02
AMEN to that!
Feb 07, 2026 @ 05:45:36
Thank you for writing to the prompt, Lynn. One of my who would you invite, living or dead, to dinner, is Benjamin Franklin.
I live right across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. I have walked the streets where the Founding Fathers walked. A Revolutionary War battle was fought in my town. The 250th celebration has been much on my mind. The current regime has removed the references to slavery at the President’s House in Philadelphia. There is a legal challenge underway (and protests by unpaid people).
I hope we can celebrate together. People of all colors and beliefs. Patriotism doesn’t mean one can’t criticize. It doesn’t mean I was just following orders.
I don’t know of any paid agitators at any of the protests I’ve been to. I certainly have never been paid!
Feb 07, 2026 @ 08:32:43
I heard of “paid protestors” on the news…maybe it wasn’t true! Of course, we can criticize. I do fear radicals (eg.- Antifa) who purposely stir up violence.
We have visited Philadelphia and Independence Hall…how enriching to live there!
Feb 07, 2026 @ 09:12:58
It’s not true. 😊
I think everyone should be anti-fascist though!
I know you’ve visited much of the US, maybe every state? That’s so wonderful, Lynn!
Feb 07, 2026 @ 16:32:45
I’ve been to every state except Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine…they’re on my bucket list 🙂
Feb 07, 2026 @ 18:38:14
Wow–that’s an accomplishment! I’m sure you’ll get there.
Feb 06, 2026 @ 14:16:56
Somehow, in all the chaos of these days, it’s easy to forget we’ll be celebrating our 250th!! Thanks for the reminder, Lynn. Yeah, a republic, with liberty and justice for all. Can we preserve it even as it tears at the seams? Only time will tell.
Feb 06, 2026 @ 14:20:32
I appreciate your thoughtful comment, Dora…yes, only time will tell.