Poetic License: ‘Rondeau: In English Only’
(In 1956, Congress established “In God We Trust” as the official U.S. motto, replacing “e pluribus unum.”)
In English Only should one express
Love for America and its success.
In Classic Latin or Greek of old
America’s story can’t be told,
E pluribus unum has been excessed!
In God We Trust will guard and bless
America with His Largesse:
Our motto stamped with letters bold
In English Only.
My cousins spoke no English but I guess
They still could fight for old U.S.
On foreign soils, their bodies cold,
Far from their isle of blue and gold —
The telegrams told us of their deaths
In English Only.
(Dedicated to the “Borinqueneers,” members of the 65th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army, Puerto Rico. The 65th, comprised primarily of Puerto Ricans, began as a volunteer regiment in 1899 and participated in World War I and World War II. It was during the Korean War that they made their mark and saw extensive combat.)