HISTORIC POETRY " ONCE UPON A TIME BEFORE AMERICA".

          ONCE UPON A TIME BEFORE AMERICA

    Sometime before America, Four Centuries ago
    When subjects all paid taxes, with little left to show

    A desperate group of people, yearning to be free
    Dared to board a sailing ship, to face the open sea

    All aboard the Mayflower, waving friends goodbye
    As they bounced the choppy waves, fearful of the sky

    Sickness took a hefty toll, some would not survive
    They prayed for help, all huddled close and fought to be alive.

    Winter came while on the sea, and dealt a heavy hand
    Then someone shouted from the crew, "I think that I see land".

    William Bradford took his cane, and used it as a rod
     "Oh, yes! I can see it now, for sure it's old Cape Cod!"

     Cold and hungry, half alive, they scrambled from below,
     Reality came as they drew close, it had begun to snow.

     Soon to land on Plymouth Rock, and as they looked around,
     William Bradford took his pen, and in his stuff he found,

      Some ink to write a document that all of them agreed.
      With pen in hand he slowly said, We must obey this Creed.

      We must prepare for Winter now, no doubt stay together,
      To meet the Natives of this land, and the coming weather.

      With icy hands they huddled round, the readied document
      "Mayflower Compact" then became, harmonious agreement.


          George McNaughton2