Iconic Verses of America ~ On Parchment Paper and Tastefully Framed
So these are heavy times in the United States of America – the likes of which I, and most Americans have never
experienced before. It is saddled with partisan political divides that pit family and friends against one another,
Washington DC embroiled in constant turmoil, a president ill-equipped to cope with the challenges of a diverse and
evolving country, and now, an international pandemic (Covid-19) that is paralyzing the country. I have long been
an admirer of this country, its history, its trials and tribulations. I have always appreciated the struggles of
all its people to make a better world here on this exceptional and beautiful continent. All the contributions by
the Native Americans, colonists, founding fathers, and everyone in between then and now, to shape this Union into
a profound democracy intended to give all citizens the opportunity to achieve success and the guaranteed right of
the pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
While each generation has seemed to yield a new step forward to spread those rights to every citizen no matter the
race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or country of origin, it now appears that our country is turning
backwards. To go in the opposite direction and back to a time when rights were not as equal for all people
standing on American soil. To a time when White supremacy and most specifically, white men had all the privilege,
wealth, and power. And the individual at the top of this movement, is devoid of appreciation for the Americans who
have sacrificed their lives in the past two hundred plus years to get us to where we were, before he took office.
He is not learned of our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the will of the people, or possessive of even the slightest
interest in anyone other than himself. It is supremely disturbing to me that the office of the President of the United
States, once occupied by the greats of Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Kennedy, and Obama, is now occupied by a charlatan
and a pathological liar. A person so corrupt, he would be better served to abide in a jail cell let alone in the Oval
office! His is a legacy that will years to repair. It is certain, that the history books will not treat this individual
well.
To that end, recent events have caused me to reflect on our history and explore stories from our past. To learn about
Saratoga and Yorktown, Gettysburg and Appomattox, Springhill and Hyannis, and last summer, my wife and I saw Hamilton
onstage at Proctors in Schenectady – what a mesmerizing and vivid image of America and its founding. Through all of
this, words and sentences etched on my mind, the meaning and purpose of our struggle through the ages. Captured in
speeches and transcripts, shared as punchlines for humor or soliloquies to abate tears, they have become iconic in
the mainstream of American culture. From the Declaration of Independence, to the Gettysburg Address, to the quotes
form Dickenson, Frost and Twain, they have all contributed to the people who we truly are and strive to be. Many of
these simple verses I have sought out and are illustrated here, printed on paper which I transformed into parchment,
then eloquently mounted on a black background, and framed with natural wood, reminiscent of the Old West but echoing
our look to the future. Of course, there are some verses, or presentations here, that were thrown in for fun, but
nonetheless, meant to exude the same ideal – where we came from and theoretically, where we are supposed to go. All
are available for purchase on-line and hopefully sometime soon, when the Covid-19 crises is past, they will be
available at on be or more the locations where I have my work available for sale. Thank you for your time and enjoy!
