Not long ago, I believed,
I believed in a bright shinning city on hill
I believed in a thousand points of light
I believed in truth, justice and a flag and
all it meant and represented to the world.

Not long ago, I believed,
I believed that we were moving toward
a more inclusive, more perfect union
of peoples who would live up to the
principles of enlightened founders.

Not long ago, I believed,
I believed in the strength of documents
of old, and the institutions that embodied
them and represented us as a beacon of
democracy, and hope to all who needed hope.

Not long ago, I believed,
I believed in the collective goodness and
empathy of a people who would reason
and hold and shelter those who were weak
and in desperate need.

I no longer believe in our exceptionalism
I no longer believe in our inherent goodness
I no longer believe we know right from wrong
I no longer believe we know what patriotism
leadership and sacrifice looks like.

We understand power, money, and fame
as we align to these as the laws we worship
as we become what our forefathers fought
as we become what we once disdained
as we give up on what we once believed.