We hear — some choose not to hear, it seems — the cry for an America that calls us all to be our better selves.

A moral imperative, if you will, that tells us not to heed the dark angels in us that respond to divisive rhetoric that would have us believe that respect for others who may look different, have different religious views, different political predilections, isn’t important.

Those, even in the highest offices in our land, who insult, degrade, diminish those with whom they differ; who seem to delight in provocative language in an “us” vs “them” mentality. Those who seek, and often attain, political office by appealing to those dark angels. Whose often-crass language panders to biases and prejudices.

There has to be a better way. A way to lift up our land and its people. Will we, as a nation, embrace such a noble ideal?

I don’t know. I just don’t know.

Enough of my mental moral meanderings. Consider, if you will, “America the Beautiful.”

 

“O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain.”

Make the melody ring and ring. Let us sing it again and again.

“For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!”

See her soaring peaks, and her bounty ne’er disdain.

“America! America! God shed His grace on thee.”

Father, send one to lead us, to bind us in unity.

“And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.”

Yes, red, white and blue. E pluribus unum are we.

 

“O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years.”

One who calls upon our hearts, and not upon our fears.

“Thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears.”

We are one people, and we’ll all give him our cheers.

“America! America! God shed His grace on thee.”

Red, yellow, black and white, one family all are we.

“And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.”

Brothers and sisters, everyone. Only then will we be truly free.

May God Bless America.

And the world.