10-4 Magazine / July 2026 67 Poetry in Motion: By Trevor Hardwick BEING AMERICAN I could choose to leave my home, And everything I know. Move into a foreign land, And see how that would go. I could try to move to France, And try to be entrenched. Get caught up in the romance, But I never would be French. Or settle in Great Britain, And be more involved with it. But even so, I think we know, I’ll never be a Brit. I may head to Mexico, And immerse myself within. As beautiful as it may be, I can’t be Mexican. Fly me o to China, And I’ll get down on my knees. I’d thank the Lord for trying, But I’ll never be Chinese. I’m AMERICAN, Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that. I’m proud to say it’s where I’m from, And where I hang my hat. My fellow Americans... this is a time for celebration! A time we shouldn’t merely observe the 250th birthday of our great nation but rather celebrate it! We are truly blessed here in the United States. We work hard, play hard, and help often. We may agree or disagree, but it doesn’t change the fact that people from all over the world go to extreme lengths to experience the American way of life. We are often lectured about our struggles in the past, but we tend to resolve those things organically, without the need for foreign in uence. We welcome people from every part of the world to come and pursue the American dream. I could go anywhere in the world and even become a permanent citizen of that other nation, and I would still not “become” them. On the other hand, people from every corner of the planet who may be inspired to risk everything to come to the USA, through legal methods, may BECOME American. This poem is simply a re ection of that sentiment. We are a “shining city upon a hill” created by God and fought for by incredibly brave men and women for a common goal of freedom and liberty. Throughout our relatively brief history, we have been admired, abused, imitated and mocked, but our generosity and provisions are often taken for granted around the world. Still, we are united, and we are blessed abundantly. And right now, we are celebrating 250 years of blood, sweat and tears of a country that is not like any other. Happy birthday, my beloved United States! And thank God for the opportunity of being an American. I could wind up anywhere, But I cannot “become” them. Though anyone, from anywhere, Can become American. Ohhhh Canada, How I love to be your friend. But even if I lived with you, I’m still not Canadian. Way down under, I’d drive trucks on the other side. But you’d never call me Aussie, No matter what I tried. Find me down in Africa, And I’ll tell you once again. I love you like the day is long, But I can’t be African. I could move to Italy, And call it my new home. But I’d never be Italian, Even if I lived in Rome. I dang-sure ain’t Peruvian, That’s obvious, it’s true. They’d never say I’m one of them, If I lived in Peru. I drive a semi, I travel ‘cross the USA. I’m thankful and I wouldn’t want it, Any other way. The Frenchman and Italian, The Peruvian and Brit. The African, Canadian, Or anyone with Grit. The Chinese and the Aussie, The Mexican and more. Bring your love for freedom, To our borders and our shore. Pledge allegiance to the ag, And cherish what it means. We’re all one nation under God, AMERICANS with dreams!
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