My hero Mr. Bradbury, the author of such classics as Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles, has a poem in the Wall Street Journal titled, “America: An Ode to Immigrants”(HT PJM). I’ll give you one verse or two here, so please click through and read the whole thing:
We are the dream that other people dream.
The land where other people land
When late at night
They think on flight
And, flying, here arrive
Where we fools dumbly thrive ourselves.Refuse to see
We be what all the world would like to be.
Because we hive within this scheme
The obvious dream is blind to us.
We do not mind the miracle we are,
So stop our mouths with curses.
While all the world rehearses
Coming here to stay.
We busily make plans to go away.
I have the honor of knowing Mr. Bradbury and I will ask him personally about his message with this poem. He might even be kind enough to join me on Tammy Radio Saturday! I’ll ask him if he can do it. In the meantime, I know based on his comments that last time he visited Tammy Radio that he feels passionately about immigration, and is appalled by the illegal alien problem.
I’ll go out on a limb here and note that his last line of that second verse may in fact refer to the self-destructiveness inherent in a belief that either we are the problem for the world, or the USA is not worth defending.
It seems to me to also be a call to the American people to reject the argument that America is bad, the rhetoric that the “world hates us,” and instead reflect on why everyone around the world still dreams of coming here. It is that attitude we must embrace. It’s that love that should inform and shape our own view of ourselves. I’d be very interested, as would all Tammy Blog readers, to see in Comments everyone’s interpretation of what Mr. Bradbury intends with this poem.
Related Links:
SciFi.com: At age 81, Illustrated author Ray Bradbury is busier than ever
I agree Tammy. The U.S. is a lush “Freedom Forest” populated with people from all over the world who niche themselves according to work ethic, dreams, abilities, and of course dumb luck, just as seen in nature – but not just nature of any sort, but a lush tropics, flowering robustly, capable of creating extravagant beauty. Capitalism, Democracy, and Rule of Law provide the opportunity that is necessary to succeed, the equivalent of a fertile soil, and plenty of sun and water. Find your niche and strive to succeed – that’s America. And so many of us don’t see it, we take it for granted for we can’t see the Freedom Forest for the trees.
Mr. Bradbury is right about everything.
Speaking of poetry…Here’s a special audio treat! Yesterday Tammy managed to squeeze her entire philosophy of economics and geopolitical evolution (both on the micro and macro levels) into a brilliant 4-minute rant. And here it is! You’re just a click away from Tammy’s Theory of Everything (Part I)! Tell your friends! These are the words that will save the planet from the forces of evil and also give you gentlemen a few useful tips on how to impress the ladies while avoiding the heartbreak of arthritis.
You mean “why everyone around the world still dreams of coming here….” right? :-)
The poem is fantastic. Tell Mr. Bradbury I said thank you for it.
[Yes, I'm sure you're right ;) Tammy can be a little edgy but that was a bit too obvious even for her ;). Thanks--ed.]
Where the only hope is to dream of leaving, it’s easy to see the obvious greatness and abundance of America. They lie in bed and night and think of us, but we certainly do not think of them.
We’re distracted by the details of life and detached from the reality of what the American miracle has meant and still means to the world. As we degenerate, they travel.
Now they’re here and see that we walk unaware among our innumerable blessings of freedom. Liberty, opporunity, safety… what’s not to shout about?
They have the passion. Let’s regain that passion for ourselves, for American greatness. Because, guess what— they will not stop. They want what we have. They want what we are. They want America.
I think Mr. Bradbury’s poem is a beautiful, but serious reminder and warning for us.
The most beautiful post of the day. It brings to mind words surely heard somewhere, “All things change; nothing perishes.”
May we always be a land that welcomes immigrants who seek a better life for themselvs and their children because of what America has to offer, which is everything if one is willing to work for it. But remember, follow our laws, respect our culture and traditions. Keep yours in your hearts but let America stay America, the reason so many want what we want is because we are who we are.
I liked the poem and feel Mr. Bradbury is telling us we take so much for granted. We don’t realise that America is paradise compared to the rest of the world but we are never satisfied. The more we get, the more we want. Oh we can be such fools !
This is a poem that should be placed in the hands of every American citizen. It is beautifully written and it both exalts our nation and exhorts our people at the same time. We should all be extremely grateful that we live here and can enjoy the freedoms that many people the world over can only dream of.
Unfortunately, many Americans have become complacent and unwilling to participate in activities that keep America what it is. Too many people put more time and thought into who to vote for on American Idol than any political election.
We must remain vigilant to keep America a country to have pride in. If we don’t, then the self-hating Leftists will brainwash more people into believing we are the cause of other country’s problems. And if they ever gain full control we will have to change our national symbol from the proud American Bald Eagle to the loon.
Immigrants are always welcome. Illegals who secretly enter our country are not. There is a huge distinction, though many fail to see it.
Absolutely outstanding. I envy you Tammy, that you know the man personally. I think he and George Orwell are the two most insightful writers of the last hundred years.
P.S. — I just blogrolled you on my own site. :)