The teenager remembers a man speak of a shining city on a hill

A land where dreams could come true

(Even if only for some people)

The young adult remembers another man speak of a thousand points of light

A land where people would help those in need

(And there were millions who were)

The adult remembers another man say he believed in a place called hope

A land where opportunity still could be found

(But, of course, not for all)

The middle-aged man remembers another man say carnage was coming to an end

A land that would come first

(But only he wanted to come first)

That teenager who that quickly became a middle-aged man

Often thinks of shining cities, thousands of points of light and places called hope

(And knows not this land)