The Red Stripe

By Zachary Furr

It started so simply,

A freedom that was wanted,

A dream that was seen,

An ocean that was crossed,

Land that was taken and farmed,

Cities and towns were built,

Explores made famous,

Rivers and mountains seen,

Canyons and cliffs found,

Vast riches mined and exploited,

And throughout this process,

Blood was spilt,

For every farm made,

Families have starved,

For every town and city made,

People died in its defense,

For every famous explorer,

Fifty lay dead in his wake,

For every wonder seen,

Men have die in search of it.

For all riches mined,

Hundreds have been left to die in the cold.