Notes on our Nation, an inauguration day poem by Sofie, 10

We the People
have been creating cacophony
dissonant chords and jagged notes,
scattered rests and twisted octaves
the chaotic melody vanquishing a
weak, sibilant harmony
as tritone chords overwhelm
the concert
while the awkward bass clef
fails to signal the start of the ensemble
in an imperfect union.

We the People
have not yet accomplished our orchestral objectives
the jarring and unbalanced rhythm
flat, staccato, and splintered
the staff becoming abstruse,
the treble clef abandoning its position
as the bass, melody, and voicings belong to different pieces
preventing the construction of a pleasing arrangement
when the white and black keys are in opposition
forming an imperfect union.

We the People of the United States
are ready now to establish justice
fairness and equality
the chords pulsing in uniform tempo
a smooth cadence
every instrument has a chance
its voice being heard
the harmony fluently resting
in the middle
following the score
and rhythm of the music
in order to form a more perfect union.

We the People of the United States
have voted to insure domestic tranquility
protect the nation’s peace
the notes calmly flowing
through the harmony
every note as one
working together to rise to the voicings
of the chords
crescendos and diminuendos
vibratos and sustains
the mellow rests allowing reflection
in order to form a more perfect union.

We the People of the United States
commit to provide for the common defense
protect our nation
the sixteenth notes
enfolding the eighth notes
while the notes of the chords
secure one another
as the staff is accompanied
by the crystalline time signature
every musical element
flowing to another
in order to form a more perfect union.

We the People of the United States
shall promote the general welfare
help people live better when in need
the notes intersect with others
as the rests make space
to accommodate the whole notes
every note supporting the other
just as the bass, melody,
harmony, and voicings
Spiral in layers shaping
the music
in order to form a more perfect union.

We the People of the United States
with certainty will secure the blessings of liberty
to ourselves and our posterity
make sure we are free and remain free
as each sharp and flat
takes hold of the staff
and the quarter notes swell
into whole notes
for each note, rest, chord,
has a role in the symphony
to stand out and contribute to the music
in order to form a more perfect union.

We the People of the United States
are ready for a new composition
a glorious riot of sound
and a jubilant melody
ready to lift us up
soaring upon triumphant wings
of a more perfect union.