*Our Freedom Wasn't Free*

American Patriots

Have you ever wondered
What happened to the men.
Who signed the Declaration
That made this a free land.
~*~
Five were captured by the British.
Branded traitors, tortured, died.
Twelve men lost their homes and land.
Ransacked, burned what was their pride.
~*~
Two their sons were captured.
Two sons fought and died.
Nine killed in the Revolutionary.
Pledged their fortunes and their lives.
~*~
Twenty-four were Jurists and
Lawyers brave and true.
Eleven of them merchants.
Nine farmers all who knew.
~ *~
If captured death was eminent.
To sign with quill and pen.
Have you ever wondered
What happened to these men?
~ *~
Their livelihoods were ruined.
And their ships swept from the sea.
Stood against the British Navy.
Our freedom wasn't free!
~*~
Have you ever wondered
What happened to the men.
Those Patriots of long ago.
Could you be as brave as them...?

MAFLongfellow