The 51st State
“A republic, if you can keep it.” — Benjamin Franklin, attributed
answer after the Constitutional Convention, 1787
I sometimes wish—in England now—
We were the 51st State
Of America—and knew somehow
We’d failed the test, become third rate.
The Puritans who left these shores,
First from the Mayflower, and then
Following, those wanting deeper laws
Of God to concentrate their lens,
For freedom—found, enshrined in words
Of independence, liberty—
Those men who prized success, preferred
Merit to dumb equality.
They pushed their frontiers outwards, on
To ever greater forms and shapes.
From thirteen states to fifty’s soon done,
It seems—the world’s tectonic plates
Are shifted forever. This new child,
Like Thetis’s son, destined to out-
Do the old father (scrap-heap piled,
And lost in ruminating doubts).
Oh, for America, bold and young!
Could we too here in England keep
The flame like you? Like you be strong,
Burn freedom-wise, intensely, deep
And unashamed embrace the facts.
Life may be rough and truth all slant,
And “Nevermore” dire voices crack.
Yet hope’s the seed your being plants.
No looking back—the road not taken.
For you, what’s forward and what’s free.
Inspire us. Break us from what’s Woken.
Let England share your energy.
James Sale has had over 50 books published, most recently, “Mapping Motivation for Top Performing Teams” (Routledge, 2021). He has been nominated by The Hong Kong Review for the 2022 Pushcart Prize for poetry, has won first prize in The Society of Classical Poets 2017 annual competition, and performed in New York in 2019. He is a regular contributor to The Epoch Times. His most recent poetry collection is DoorWay. For more information about the author, and about his Dante project, visit https://englishcantos.home.blog. To subscribe to his brief, free and monthly poetry newsletter, contact him at [email protected].
I read this poem with great interest to hear an English perspective on America and its revolution. It is a poem that could only be written in an England that lost its empire and killed its own glorious traditions. What is it left with? Only in an England so stripped could it look to the youthful hope of America as a model and pine for statehood.
Your use of half rhyme and enjambment (even of words) gives the poem a flowing, conversational quality appropriate for its reflective subject.
Thanks for your comments, Adam: we have always prided ourselves on our lack of a formal constitution, and seen it as a strength – as if our traditions in themselves would preserve us from extremism. But now the lack of those enshrined rights has come back to bite us bitterly, as the lunatics take over.
Let’s keep it 50, but trade England for California…
Ha ha ha!!! Very good, Michael. California does seem a strange case: it seems to generate a lot of money but also a lot of hot air!!! But I am glad you feel that the swap would be worth it!
I deeply feel the sentiments you enshrined in your thoughtful poem with the beautiful use of the image of the son of Thetis outdoing the father. We still share so much in common and both of us must beware of what could befall us. The future depends on skilled vested historically oriented erudite professionals like you to lead the way.
Roy, I have never been called a “skilled vested historically oriented erudite professional” before: thank you – add to that “poet” and, frankly, I have it all!!! And thank you for pointing out the son of Thetis reference: there are, of course, at least 3 references to great American poets in this, but only one to the classical tradition and you have it! Greetings from across the pond!
How sad that England, which gave us common law, has lost all common sense to the point where air conditioning is frowned upon, where people instead are told to plant a tree or install a teensy-weensy window to keep the sunlight out.
Yes, Cheryl, we are in a sad state and it’s about to get worse with the new – clueless – PM, another of the chinless wonders who’ve never had a real job or ran a real business. The current and outgoing PM has just been awarded France’s highest honour by President Macron himself – the only time a sitting PM has received this honour: a sure sign that he has advanced France’s (and the EU’s) interests over our own. In the old days we used to call it treason, but that’s so old-fashioned, isn’t it?
I feel bad for the U.K., and for all its real people (not the stinking invaders who are taking over).
But what’s happening there is also happening here in the States, but just a bit more slowly. And that is the steady metastasis of the left-liberal Woke religion. Millions of stupid people have been converted to this new religion, and it is very difficult to break someone’s trans-rational faith.
To the British police, who are now modeled on the Gestapo: why don’t you try to arrest me for telling the truth here, for Englishmen and women to read? But ah, yes — we Americans have a First Amendment.
Thanks Joe – yes, it seems extraordinary to say it, but the police in our country increasingly resembling the gestapo is about right: constant arrests for tweets and serious criminality on our streets ignored. God bless the First Amendment!
Oh, James, this excellent poem makes me grieve deeply for both of our countries. I agree with Joe — the U.S. is following in the U.K.’s footsteps — and only a few steps behind. I shudder to think what the year 2050 will look like for both of our nations. Hell, 2030. I half-agree with Michael — divesting ourselves of California would be a good start… but without taking on England. We’ve reached the point where we need fewer states. Not more.
Cheers Brian – one day I’ll be in Florida and we can commiserate together!!!
James, I love this poem. I believe, however, that it would be far more advantageous for England, and for Texas, if the United Kingdom were to become a part of the newly formed state of Texland in order to work our combined righteous will upon the damned communists and reprobates who wish to take over God’s green earth!!!
Mike!!! Great idea – love the name: Texland! You have my vote!!!And … glad you liked the poem!
Lovely tribute, James. Your word “freedom-wise” applies to many, many Americans old and young, and both are perhaps bolder there. Your last word “energy” makes me think. I’ve seen plenty of well-directed energy in young England, but if we consider the massive national movement of Turning Point USA, and the fact that it is growing and spreading as we type, America leads. The battles with tyranny, communism, and corruption have been and will be fights to the death, but I’m encouraged at seeing so many (including youth with relevant experience in warfare) willing to fight. Even here in California! The most dangerous energy to be faced at present comes in New York City, where it is chasing away rich resources even more rapidly than all California’s economic and political mistakes. You identify another grave issue, “dire voices” like the misfortunate Poe cracking doom. Some are already broken by the Woken–but let’s share energy, concentrate lens focus in the forward direction, and keep checking our compasses.
Thanks for mentioning Turning Point, Margaret: I do subscribe to the English wing of it. As for NY, you may have missed this effort on Mamdani: https://www.classicalpoets.org/poets-susan-jarvis-bryant-and-james-sale-respond-to-mamdanis-swearing-in/ And finally, yes: “let’s share energy, concentrate lens focus in the forward direction, and keep checking our compasses.” Very wise words indeed; we need to collaborate, co-operate with all right thinking individuals who stand for the values that underpin all great civilisations – and resist the lurch to anarchism which is where ‘equality’ leads.
Thank you for such a heartfelt poem, James, a real cri de coeur. It sickens me and breaks my heart when I hear about what is going in the U.K. You are a light in dark times!
Thanks Theresa for your kind remarks – you are too generous! I am not really a light, but I hope that some light can be transmitted through me. Hope you are well and continuing your own efforts to reflect the light!
James, having left my much-loved homeland and gone through the long process of American citizenship, learning and appreciating the history and gaining a beautiful Texan family, the words of your heartfelt poem mean so much to me. I think they will mean a lot to many for different reasons. Thank you very much indeed!
Ah, my dear Susan – I envy you your Texan lot! I keep thinking I’d like to emigrate to the US myself, but I’ll never do it; not because I can’t, but because – well – my youngest son lives down the road (my eldest lives in Thailand, so that is painfully distant), only 10 miles, and with him is my lovely new granddaughter – and, God willing, a new grandson is on the way too for October!!! Without their presence, we’d go – but to leave all that behind, would be too much. So, we have to do what we can by staying here and helping England become a much better place – and root out all this Marxist claptrap that is pervading all our institutions. God bless you in the land of the free!
James, huge CONGRATULATIONS on yet another beautiful addition to your family. Grandchildren are miraculous gifts that fill our lives with wonder. Isn’t it great how we grandparents get to see life through a child’s eye yet again — a bonus for poets.
I fully appreciate your decision to stay. Little Doris was born eleven years after I arrived in Texas. Sadly, our land isn’t quite as free as many would like it to be… like you, I hope and pray this “Marxist claptrap” is stamped out soon. Your reply has also made me think of my late grandparents. They married during WWII and had two children — my mother in 1943 and my aunt in 1945. Life, love, and the love of life go on, and we must never let fear stand in the way of joy! Little Doris — born 100 years after her great-great grandmother (big Doris) — wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her great-great grandparents’ bravery. God bless us all!
Congrats James on your Finalist win!!!
Not quite a win, Theresa, but thank you for the thought, and congratulations yourself on your “Finalist’ status for your sonnet – excellent news! Press on!!!