Today as an American

By Allen Ginnett

I wake up everyday- with intention. Intention to change. I have the freedom to decide who I am. Who is that person? You may ask, but the answer is right in front of you. I am American.

Watch me smile because I am happy; Feel me when I hurt. “Wow!” How do I express how thankful I am? By enjoying every minute of it. I am American. Today I told my mom, pride was a bad thing. But, I am proud to be American.

Let me push forward, adapt. Be proud to be proud. Bring forth the bad habits. We can take it all on. American is the land of the free. We say whatever we want, and we have the right to bear arms. The guitar strums as we gamble, and be merry.

I am a half Jewish immigrant, half West Virginian Vietnam war product. From a place called Anchorage, Alaska. The great experiment of Western civilization; Beer, cars and baseball; or basketball, or anything you want to compete at because Americans are competitive.

Like a club sandwich instead of a cheeseburger, the feeling is different in other countries but the result is the still the same, success. We are the same as any other place, we have snobby rich people, and we have hungry poor people. Is snooty a word? Because if not, it’s a better word to describe the people we have. And just like an American, I have the power to redefine the english language. See what I’m saying?

My house is a mess and I’m at the bar instead of cleaning. I am trapped in this universe where nothing responsible matters. I don’t care about laundry, and dishes. I care about beats. And weed; And women. And we can talk about whatever, and we can do whatever because it’s whatever. Do you understand what I am writing to you?

The spectrum is wide and feeling is passionate. It’s not mutual, and it’s not stupid, dude. It’s a 1998 Chevy Tahoe driving down the New Seward highway, music playing, not a care in the world. It’s taking your Mom to a pot shop to buy your aunt for an ounce for almost triple the price you would pay in the street. It’s America, we have the freedom to do whatever the fuck we like.

We like a lot of things, french fries that’s one thing for certain. I would say that’s an objective statement. Today I feel like this. Tomorrow I won’t. Happiness is a choice. Make it, like the pieces of paper that we do all the random things in this country to obtain. Land of the free. The United States of America is the best country on the planet Earth, and you won’t know that unless you know that.

Allen Ginnett is a creative writer born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He lives life freely, finding sources of expression naturally. Past times of his include sports, music and painting.