Spring liberty

Spring Dawn by Tang poet Mong Haoran (689-740)

Spring slumber, don't notice dawn.
Here, there, hear birds' song.
Night falls, sound of wind and rain.
How many flowers have fall'n?


United States Capitol

Like a mountain round dome built upon a high wall.
The symbols of democracy, congressional chambers.
Old military soldiers, lives cut short,
Civil rights activists, names made prominent.
"All men are created equal" declaration;
Liberty for all in the Constitution.
Fifty states divided into House and Senate,
In God we trust, washed in grace and light.