My country, this is a time of monsters,Who come not breathing fire but spitting ICE.Blood on their hands, these murderous mobstersAre paid in full by fascism’s sponsorsTo instill fear in anyone who’d fight.

But there was a time, I tell you children,When a tyrant king once ruled over us — A man history knows as the villain,Who attacked the people who’d risen —His crown now lies smoldering in our dust.

We’ve done this before, we’ll do it again,And again. We are Pretti. We are Good.We are not afraid to face the dragon.We volunteer our lives — a moment whenHeroes being born are misunderstood.

My country, this is a time of monstersAnd of heroes forged in courageous fight,Who’d rather give their blood than their honor.Many millions alike fill our roster,Prepared to sacrifice for what is right.

Where will you stand when they come to your town?You will remember your choice, you will hearThe cries of neighbors’ children all aroundAnd know this is not a time to kneel down.

History needs you to stifle your fear.Times of monsters are when heroes appear.

“An old, mad, blind, despised, and dying king,—

Princes, the dregs of their dull race, who flowThrough public scorn,—mud from a muddy spring,—

Rulers who neither see, nor feel, nor know,But leech-like to their fainting country cling,Till they drop, blind in blood, without a blow,—

A people starved and stabbed in the untilled field,—

An army, which liberticide and preyMakes as a two-edged sword to all who wieldGolden and sanguine laws which tempt and slay;

Religion Christless, Godless—a book sealed;A Senate,—Time’s worst statute unrepealed,—

Are graves, from which a glorious Phantom mayBurst, to illumine our tempestous day.” — Percy Bysshe Shelley

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Sarah Warden is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Thanks for reading Sarah Warden! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Thanks for reading Sarah Warden! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Sarah Warden is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.