The stoic tree
of America's ideals,

had long, strong branches
reaching into every other tree of the forest
stealing sunlight.

The hearty trunk
was cut by an Act,
and America told the forest
and all its creatures
that she sought to grow a new tree.

She watered the stump
and sure enough,
it grew and grew.
A new stoic tree
of America's ideals.

The new tree
longer, stronger, quieter branches
still stealing the sunlight,

seemed to welcome all the creatures of the forest,
but what every creature
except the black birds forgot,

is that the new tree
grew from the same roots
as the tree before.