give it all away

Adolescent six feet under

Gave his life in ’42

Shot five times

by Swastika battalions—

“That’s what I paid for freedom 

But you’d give it all away.”

Father of five beneath

A block of cement

Gave his life in 1863

Looked behind him

At his black brothers—

“That’s what I paid for freedom 

But you’d give it all away.”

Businessman on Flight 93

Gave his life in 2001

Wanted something better

For his country than terror—

“That’s what I paid for freedom 

But you’d give it all away.”

Betrothed, but to death,

Gave his life in 1778.

Words written in ink

Led to wars paid in blood—

“That’s what I paid for freedom 

But you’d give it all away.”

Greeted by spit in ’75;

Ended his life,

At the end of his rope.

Fought battles with brothers

But died alone—

“That’s what I paid for freedom 

But you’d give it all away.”