A Poem by Keith Laufenberg

*Previously published in AIM Magazine, Vol. 32, No. 3, Fall, 2005.


*I AM AN AMERICAN
BY
KEITH LAUFENBERG




I am a Christian and I am a Jew,
I am a Buddist, a Muslim and even a Hindu

I知 from Atlanta, San Diego, New York and Maine,
Along with any other State in America, that you can name.

I知 black, I知 white, I知 yellow, and I知 red and sometimes I知 even tan,
I知 a child, I知 a woman and I知 also a man.

I have relatives all over Europe, China and Japan,
As well as in Russia, Australia and Pakistan.

When they raise the flag, fly the red, white and blue,
I stand up proudly, just exactly like you.

On September 11, 2001, a disaster befell us all,
And when the President makes his patriotic call,

I will answer him, just like any other man,
Because I realize, that only united can we stand.

Not everyone in this world is like you and me,
Because, we are both living this life in a country that is free.

Now I see that you know me, you know who I am,
That痴 right, I am you, and I am me, I am an American.