Not sure what to title this

This could probably go under the catagory of random thought that I converted into a ficticious story and partial poem. I am, however, awaiting response from the people I e-mailed.

I look out into the world. With a distant, yet firm fixation, I wonder. What am I missing? Where have we gone wrong? Or, have we? So many people think things have collapsed into an insufferable pile of waste, yet, many just sit. Seemingly, these distraught and disheartened people are imprisoned by their own concerns. Is this an accurate perception? Is it not? Could it be that the lack of action is because no action is really needed. Or, could it be that the lantern that helps guide their spirit, has faded.

Someone came to me the other day and in a deep melancholy voice repeated these words:
“Who are we? Who, are, we? I once knew who we were, what we stood for, what the name of America meant. But now, I am lost. What are we, what DO we stand for, and what does our future hold? My love for our nation is strong, but my confusion and disillusion has grown stronger.”
I sat for some time. I then sat some more- Not so much to form an answer, but more so to absurd the thought. This person had a point.

The following day I took a walk. Maybe it was ten miles maybe it was 20, I didn’t really keep notice- I just walked. What consumed my thoughts were those words “What are we?”, “What do we currently stand for?”, “What do we currently represent?”. Seemingly simple questions, yet questions I was absent an answer… What is it we currently stand for, what was it we currently represent? At one point in history this question was straightforward but now, overly complex.

These questions wouldn’t leave my head. They were something I had to have answered, so I did a little research, and this was my starter:

Dear…..,

I have some questions that I have not been able to properly answer. For the last couple weeks, I have been trying to answer the following without success. Would you please be so kind as to help? The following three –seemingly- simple questions have proved quite difficult in solving.

1.What is America? (I do not mean “what is America of the past and present” but what is America today?

2. What does America currently stand for?

3. What does America currently represent? (What I mean to say is, what is the current vision of America supposed to represent for people living here and for international people living abroad?

I would greatly appreciate your time in helping me answer these three questions.

Thank you in advance and kindest regards,

Arin Gilbert

I’ve sent this letter to several Senators, a Governor, and the President. When one responds, I’ll post their comments.