We all came from somewhere, didn't we?

Each American has a diverse family tree.

'Out of many, one' applies to us all

And is the main reason we stand so tall.

What makes us great are the strengths that grew

From our multi—ethnic and national brew.

What we brought from each background added the zest

To the characteristics with which we've been blessed.

Was it easy for our forbears?  Rarely so.

They faced hardships most of us will never know.

One forced by famine, religious freedom for another,

An adventurer seeking new lands to discover,

But they all came here, whether willing or slave

And shaped the land of the free and the home of the brave.

To all would be Americans we fling wide our door,

But please come in the front way, as those did before.

Mimi Winship   3 29 06