Words that Bind – v4

In this moment in time

with struggle and strife;

war and oppression challenging

threatening our world

battles within our nation,

around the globe,

threatening our world

race relations deteriorating

a dream slipping from our fingers

authority called into question.

Words that bind,

that bring us together

as a people, as a nation,

simple words, an oath, a pledge

to guard what we have created

to remain a nation of laws,

and to make this a better world

words turned into action

to foster freedom, justice,

equality around the globe.

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edited February 2, 2015

Words that Bind – v4

(merging edits to version 2 and version 3)

edited January 20, 2015

Words that Bind – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/words-that-bind-v3.html

(editing version 1 again)

edited January 20, 2015

Words chosen for a nation – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/words-chosen-for-nation-v3.html

(editing version 1 again)

January 21, 2013

Words that Bind – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/words-that-bind-v2.html

January 21, 2013

Words chosen for a nation – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/words-chosen-for-nation-v2.html

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

and his final speech before his assassination

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oehry1JC9Rk&feature=youtu.be

and Inauguration of the President

Barack Hussein Obama

Invocation

by Myrlie Evers-Williams

http://bcove.me/ugv9l9qy

Inaugural Address

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/president-barack-obamas-2013-inaugural-address-full-text-86497.html

&

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/not-just-dream-reality.html

&

several poems written in 2009

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/search/label/Martin%20Luther%20King

on the juxtaposition of the

80^th birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

and the inauguration of Barack Obama

as President of the United States of America

January 17, 2009

Words chosen for a nation

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/words-chosen-for-nation.html

January 17, 2009

Words that Bind

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/words-that-bind.html

and the Presidential Oath, from the

US Constitution, Article I, Section 1, Clause 8,

repeated verbatim by the presidents. The only language in quotes

in the Constitution, unlike the general principles elsewhere.

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully

execute the office of President of the United States,

and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend

the Constitution of the United States."

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,610+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.