No Kings

Composed the day after "No Kings Saturday" rallies (June 14, 2025). It seemed approriate that a few of the Founding Fathers weigh in. A few photos from the Ashland, MA rally are included.

No Kings

Sending our regards

From back in the past

It seems you need our help

To ensure our work lasts

It was a lofty goal

The land uncharted

A new idea to give birth

It was not for the fainthearted

Kings are a heathen invention

So says my friend Tom Paine

In America, the law is king

It is the people who reign

In times of peace

Without our consent

He kept a standing army

Our duty to now dissent

He deprived so many

Refused to obey the laws

The benefits of a jury

Unable to show cause

He denied our legislatures

Let us count the ways

It’s out in the streets

Collective voices to raise

Our founding documents

Laid down the road

Our country’s liberties

To defend, a heavy load

As Patrick Henry said

If you wish to be free

You must bring the fight

To the powers that be

To reap of freedom

To be so blessed

As Tom Paine told

Takes a people possessed

And as Madison stated

No need for government

If men were angels

To be silent gives consent

So let’s jump forward

To the present day

So clear an abuse

As liberties slip away

These are the times

Again says Paine

That try men’s souls

To resist and unchain

So said Ben Franklin

Nothing is certain

Except death and taxes

And grifters and conmen

Eternal vigilance

Tom Jefferson penned

Is the price of freedom

To which we defend

A true patriot

is never mute

Sam Adams declared

Silence allows abuse to root

We did not sacrifice

And struggle to create

A new way to govern

A road to liberate

And so from the grave

We again raise a voice

To defend our liberties

Our freedoms of choice

From all the fathers

From all of our pens

Do not stay timid

Fight for what we began