Hold tight, america!

HOLD TIGHT, AMERICA!
By J.C. High Eagle, Cherokee/Osage
Hold tight, America, to the wheel of righteousness
For you are freedom's ship of truth in a lonely sea,
Sailing the uncharted waters of liberty in darkened waters.
Hold tight, America, to your faith.
Let it not be as driftwood that surges aimlessly and tossed about
     by the unpredictable, mindless currents of others adrift.
Hold tight, America, to the Creator that guides and protects you,
     when the storms of life cause your bow to sway.
Our heavenly beacon that dares pierce the darkness of gloom.
Our lighthouse of love to show the way.
Hold tight, America, to the droplets of love sprinkled inside your being,
     to the love you have, for it is all that is important,
     all that you really own, all that is true . . . all that you really are.
Hold tight, America, to your real essence of truth, justice,
     respect and individual liberty.
For they are the life preservers of freedom.
Hold tight, America, to the strengths of honesty and trueness,
When the frailty of humanity threatens to toss them to the wind.
Hold tight, America, when all around you eludes
     and falters in the stormy sea,
You will safely ride the surges of inequity.
Hold tight, America, to hope and faith,
For failure is fledged by fear, by your permission,
     not by your fate.
Hold tight, America, to your dreams,
For they are the stars by which you navigate.
Yield not to the temptation of doubt.
Hold tight, America, to trust as your life raft.
For when you do, you will not sink as others around you,
     while others drown by feeble grips.
You will float the crests of adversity.
You will survive the changes.
Hold tight, America, to your strength and courage,
     for you will buoy the tides of fear and regret.
Do it now.
Do it yet.
Do it lest you ere forget.

Hold tight, America, to ballast the blows
that rock your ship to and fro.

Hold tight, America, to the promise that
you are the place where love abides for tired
and weary hearts.
So, may the tidal waves of newness
     crash upon the shores of your old self,
    to spawn new challenges, new undertakings
to guide and protect our country’s health.

Hold tight, America, and navigate uncharted waters,
skirt sand bars of hate and adversity
you fearlessly choose to miss.
Bon Voyage, America!
     may you dock freedom’s vessel
     upon beaches of eternal bliss.

Hold tight, America, you are our captain.
United we stand on your deck of freedom—
strong under freedom's billowing sail.
Undeterred from freedom’s course, sail on and on,
for your voyage will never fail!

—J.C. High Eagle, Cherokee/Osage