DECLARATION OF INTERDEPENDENCE: Poems on Liberty
by Janet Wong

The following poems, “Declaration of Interdependence” and “Liberty,” are poems from a collection-in-progress inspired by artist-illustrator Julie Paschkis. A couple of years ago, Julie got upset about what she saw happening to our civil liberties. She sprang into action, creating note cards that celebrate rights expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Proceeds from these cards benefit the ACLU. The ACLU never asked Julie for help; she just took the initiative to contribute. See www.juliepaschkis.com to learn more about her Liberty Notes.

When I saw what Julie did, I felt ashamed about being so apolitical, so unaware, so uninvolved—so, well, selfish. I felt inspired to do something. My “something” is taking the form of writing a collection of “Liberty Poems,” with profits to be donated to charitable organizations that educate the public about political issues.

I hope my words inspire you to look around, to read the papers, to talk about what’s going on in politics—and to take the initiative to contribute, in your own best way.

Declaration of Interdependence

We hold these truths to be not-so-self-evident
(but think about them a while, and hopefully you might agree):

all men are created equally a puzzle, made up of so many parts;
each of us makes up part of the greater puzzle that is our nation.

Lose one piece and the picture is incomplete. Recognizable, but
what happens when too many pieces, one by one, become lost?

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness: do your best to find
the pieces that fit, that need you, as much as you need them.


Liberty

I pledge acceptance
of the views,
so different,
that make us America

To listen, to look,
to think, and to learn

One people
sharing the earth
responsible
for liberty
and justice
for all.