We are a culture

of Wastrels,

Cannibals

who don’t eat

what we kill.

We treat other countries

like paper plates

and crumpled napkins;

plastic cups

and broken forks.

We throw everything we’ve used

into a big can

and call it

Refuse.

We haul refuse

to the dump.

A Dump

is taking a shit.

We shit on other nations.

We call ourselves

Superior,

proud to be American.

We can’t keep

our own backyard

Clean:

cellophane wrappers,

cigarette butts,

coffee cups;

“illegal” immigrants,

welfare recipients,

transients.

We shit

on each other.

America the “Beautiful,”

my ass.

2016 © iokirkwood.com “America the ‘Beautiful.’” All rights reserved.