On THIS Independence Day by Sheila Dunn-Merritt

If we lose our nation’s heart of compassion —
We lose our freedom.

As long as we cage the innocent,
as long as we take food
from the hands of hungry children —

We.
Are.
Not.
Free.

The shackles of division bind us all.

No one walks unchained
when justice stumbles,
when mercy is small,
when truth is silenced
beneath the roar of indifference.

So today —
as the fireworks explode in the sky,
as flags wave,
as voices rise to sing of liberty —

Ask yourself:

Can we truly celebrate freedom
if it does not reach
everyone?