If Not You, Then Who?

“The Letter” by George Goodwin Kilburne

let them know how you feel

let them know what you think

speak your mind with a candid

assessment of why they are wrong

refrain from ad hominem epithets

this is no time for politeness but

neither will crudity land your points

home just explain how they’ve

failed to keep faith with the values

embraced by their very sworn oaths

make them see through their blindness

and hear through their deafness use

sharply drawn words that will penetrate

even the dead calloused skin of their

conscience for this is your birthright of

duty a solemn condition of liberty’s

legacy granting your great wealth

of power and privilege conferred by

the title of citizen sharing republic

Live Free or Die

New Hampshire
State Motto

piss and vinegar
juices that animate
those with real bark
on their hides

stern stuff of
the northern
New Englander
perish the tender

come and visit
but don’t plan to stay
if you can’t
take the oath