All this political mud sligging can wear a guy out.  As I shut the tube off, rolling my eyes, I whisper to myself " I should move to Austrailia or Ireland." Then I stop myself and think 'what am i saying'? !  We live in a great country!   Need an outlet to remember?  Read the lyrics of some of the great standards like, AMERICA, THE BEAUTIFUL, GOD BLESS AMERICA or THE USA, MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE, and even THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND.  If you are seeking something a little different, maybe even a little deeper try finding some 'not so famous' patriotic poems.

If you are needing a little motivational uplifter about the great US of A, just read the poem below.  This is one of my favorites of all time and I believe it's about as old as me. Or, yet better, listen to JOHN WAYNE reciting it, for a sense of patriot pride. Boy, it doesn't get any more American than having one of the most remembered cowboys reciting this piece.  Recently, I was asked to find a piece of American Literature that not only moved me, but 'hit home' for me as well.   Since I am a huge fan of the silver screen cowboys, I knew I wanted to find and research some cowboy poetry ( lots of good websites under that category ), but I kept coming back to this classic poem that the Duke made famous.  If you Google this poem, some sites will have a slide show to go with it, others will just have the audio.

America, Why I Love Her

Written by John Mitchum
Poet/Actor

You ask me why I love her? Well, give me time, and I'll explain...
Have you seen a Kansas sunset or an Arizona rain?
Have you drifted on a bayou down Louisiana way?
Have you watched the cold fog drifting over San Francisco Bay?

Have you heard a Bobwhite calling in the Carolina pines?
Or heard the bellow of a diesel in the Appalachia mines?
Does the call of Niagara thrill you when you hear her waters roar?
Do you look with awe and wonder at a Massachusetts shore...
Where men who braved a hard new world, first stepped on Plymouth Rock?
And do you think of them when you stroll along a New York City dock?

Have you seen a snowflake drifting in the Rockies...way up high?
Have you seen the sun come blazing down from a bright Nevada sky?
Do you hail to the Columbia as she rushes to the sea...
Or bow your head at Gettysburg...in our struggle to be free?

Have you seen the mighty Tetons? ...Have you watched an eagle soar?
Have you seen the Mississippi roll along Missouri's shore?
Have you felt a chill at Michigan, when on a winters day,
Her waters rage along the shore in a thunderous display?
Does the word "Aloha"... make you warm?
Do you stare in disbelief When you see the surf come roaring in at Waimea reef?

From Alaska's gold to the Everglades...from the Rio Grande to Maine...
My heart cries out... my pulse runs fast at the might of her domain.
You ask me why I love her?... I've a million reasons why.
My beautiful America... beneath Gods' wide, wide sky.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL POEM OR HYMN?