I dedicate this poem with all my love, to my good friend Ted Sheridan on his birthday.

my position as I see it
leaves no room for doubt
battles are lost when the strong
are weakened by malcontent.

despite how one wants to feel
democracy has never come easy.
in every case it was always after
heavy losses on both sides
that for generations have filled our hearts
with deep sadness knowing that
young men and women died
before they ever had a chance to shine.

my position is clear
there is no disputing
the value of democracy’s fight
for freedom, the costs are heavy
yes we know, we cry for our lost
loved ones. but the evidence is clear,
the long term outcomes are well-known.
democracy has learned to endure
the pain of its lost sons, so that
others can sing freedoms love song.

our grandmothers and grandfathers,
our aunts and uncles
our mothers and fathers, they know
where battles that were questioned
on the fields war, left democracy
to spread its roots on only one side
of the demarcation line. they know
that through prosperity, there is peace.
they know, there is a North AND South Korea.
they know, that one prepares for war;
while the other prepares its daily bread.

my position is unshakable
as is anyone who loves life
for more than just themselves
I’d choose to fight for democracy
every minute of everyday
before I’d let others die
from oppression

long live democracy
长期活民主
lang levende democratie
désirent ardemment la démocratie de phase
長く生きている民主主義
오랫동안 살아있는 민주주의
sehnen sich Phasendemokratie
πολύ ζωντανή δημοκρατία
desidera la democrazia in tensione
long a democracia viva
народовластие длиной в реальном маштабе времени
desea la democracia viva

copyright © 2004 and opinions belong entirely to Sara Coslett