Liberty’s Eulogy

“I’m calling it. Lady Liberty died at 9:32 pm, February 4, 2020.”

”What was the cause of death?”

”Shame.”

I come to bury Liberty. We gather in this place

To take a fond last look at her, and say a bit of grace.

Her eyes are closed, and lines of care have marked her lovely face.

And when the lid is closed she’ll fade away.

And leave us all to mourn her every day.

I come to bury Liberty, once lovely in her prime.

Her grace was known throughout the world, and stood the test of time.

How sad that we have lost her to a foul and bloody crime.

When we all turned to watch the dancing clown

The brutes just pulled their knives and cut her down.

I come to bury Liberty. Once she was young and fair.

She held a blazing torch aloft, a crown worn in her hair.

No ruler she, instead a paragon was standing there.

Her sweet abundance was for one and all,

‘til greed, sin and dishonor brought her fall.

I come to bury Liberty. We thought she was so strong.

But we didn’t read the lyrics even though we sang her song.

We thought she’d live forever, but I guess that we were wrong.

Only for wealth and safety we all cared.

We would all have had plenty if we’d shared.

I come to bury Liberty. She was misunderstood.

We thought that it was only right to grab all that we could.

We measured out our worth in gold and thought that greed was good.

But gold all went to those who lied the best.

While we all fought each other for the rest.

I come to bury Liberty, because we lost our way.

We started as a pack of mutts who had nowhere to stay.

But we built our own paradise, then threw it all away.

We gave up Eden oh-so-willingly.

For it was too much trouble to be free.

I come to bury Liberty. We really should have known.

We thought that once they took it all, they’d throw to us a bone.

“We’ll give you everything we have if you’ll leave us alone!”

They promise you’ll have more in just a while.

But if you give an inch, they’ll take a mile.

I come to bury Liberty. I’ll tell you how she died.

We talked about her quite a lot, but never really tried.

We didn’t learn her lessons, and ignored her when she cried.

And one by one, we sold the gifts she gave.

It’s our fault that she’s lying in her grave.

I come to bury Liberty. We clipped the eagle’s wings.

We fought among ourselves over the tiniest of things.

We didn’t pay attention while a few crowned themselves kings.

And we played games with ever-changing rules.

Until all that was left were kings and fools.

I come to bury Liberty. She died without a fuss.

We once brought all our differences together to discuss.

But now we only listen to the ones who look like us.

And if someone should hold a different view.

Then they aren’t quite as good as me and you.

I come to bury Liberty. She warned us every day.

But the things that were important are the things we gave away.

The things that didn’t matter ruled us every working day.

The ones that you entrusted freedom to.

They all soon just stopped listening to you.

I come to bury Liberty. Please sing no sad refrains.

The Masters say there’s work to do, so please put on your chains.

Go fight their wars and cook their food and clean their bathroom drains.

And know that just because you let her fall.

Your children won’t remember her at all.