Notes for an Undelivered Address to Class of ‘86

June 5, 1986  (I was 41)

Notes for an Undelivered Address to Class of ‘86

You have had taken from you

the idealistic belief that your country

exists to do right and to support freedom

both collective and individual at home,

and by good example and good faith

to support it abroad without intervention;

to support the right the good and the free

to any disadvantage, cost or accusation of naiveté;

to uphold the principle.

You have had taken from you

the belief that your country

values the individual of its citizenry

values the equality of humankind

beyond political advantage or mere expediency

beyond bartering with the natives or for the natives

beyond class distinction and cultural rape

beyond archeological digs through ghetto squalor

to plunder historic splendor

You have had taken from you

the expectation of quality in all

but the most conspicuously expensive;

you have settled for overpriced fashion.

Religions are fashions;

Sunday aisles are fashion runways.

You have watched and listened

with the open hearts of youth.

You have had taken from you.

And I am too complacent

to tell you what to do about it.