Untitled (Lady Liberty)

The world still has surprises left.
    Who would expect her,
    Our pride, our meaning,
    To be torn and strewn?
The world still has surprises left.

Oh! Sure, it is for her own benefit!

But what of the people who were looking for her?
    But what of the people who asked her to guide the way?
    What did they see?
    Just a woman entrapped in morbid bars of simple workmen’s design?
But what of the people who were looking for her?

She is Truth, Justice, and Freedom!
How ironic that she is behind bars!

Ah, but behold!
Like a butterfly from a cocoon—
    She is released!
    And look! The torch of burning copper is lit!
    And the fireworks are ablaze!
    Lady Liberty stands again, symbol of our land.
And like a butterfly from a cocoon—
    She is released.
    
Originally published in Opus Volume IX, the Bay Shore (New York) Junior High School literary magazine.    

1986 © Jonathan Russell