I remember looking in the distance
across the mired of barricades and wire, and "The Wall"
Everything a dull gray everywhere I looked, a total absence of color
Seeing people walk around
almost in a depressed stupor, heads down
Not even daring to talk to their neighbors in public, for who may see
The citizens of this city
lived with the state, always upon them
One knock at the door, and you could be taken away
They say, if you may marry
where you will work, and if you will play, what you may buy
Nothing mattered but the life of the State, the master of the toiling masses
That was East Berlin in 1968
before the power of freedom, tore down the wall
We made that happen, because we exists in the world, as a model for all to see
The dreams of the ancient philosophers
and the founders of our blessed land, all believed
in the value of the private citizen... the rights of the individual
I wish all Americans could see
or feel for a brief time, the life of oppression
To live without choises, without hopes or dreams, as so many do
Then you would know personally
and hold our flag, as high as your arms would reach
You would give thanks each day, that you were born on American soil
Free to live your life
to come and go as you please
Free... to have a dream
Lee
Honorable mention
Adding your comment:
Good luck in the contest. 
