America's Childless Father

George Washington is recognized as the father of our nation. Though his wife had children from a previous marriage, Washington had no children of his own. This free verse poem explores what our beloved father figure would say to America about her devastating choice to embrace abortion in the last century.

I, George Washington, have fathered a childless nation.

America, my beautiful,

Not whom, but what have you begotten? 

I, George Washington, waged war for our children’s freedom,

But America, land of the free, 

You have sold them to the highest bidder.

I, George Washington, fought for our children’s independence,

But America, sweet land of liberty,

You have given them a funeral instead of a birthright.

I, George Washington, battled for our children’s future,

But America, land of the nobel free,

You have traded their dancing for mourning.

I, George Washington, led men to their death so our children could live,

But America, home of the brave,

You have ripped even life from their helpless fingers.

I, George Washington, grieve for lives not lived,

America, whose name I love,

Your gleaming alabaster cites have been stained scarlet.

I, George Washington, weep for souls unloved,

America, land so fair,

The tears of your tempest-tost and betrayed flood from sea to shining sea,

I, George Washington, mourn for hearts crushed and minds destroyed,

America! America! 

Pray that God may shed His grace on thee.