How does it feel to be an American?

My boyfriend asks me from time to time. He always laughs at my answers. I think he's being cynical. He knows he speaks the truth.
I wear my defenses like masks from the truth.
My European boyfriend could very well be just as American as myself.
Literally.
We went shopping for him to take gifts home. Something that they could see was from and made in America.
Everything I found is made in China. In Nicaragua. In Mexico.
That's nothing new to us.
It's not some new revelation.
It just really hit me, not for the first time, just again.

hey ms american
its me again
trying to buy a cardigan
from the state i'm in

our american cars
have foreign parts
plastic toys from
unknown parts

american made it may say
american money you will pay
american delivered not today
american bred, no way!

hey ms american
can't you see the state i'm in
still trying to find that cardigan
it's left my head in a whirl again

technically trumped

I thought by the year 2000 we'd be technically far more advanced than what we are. (Truly) And to think color t.v. was only introduced to the American public in 1950! Only 58 short years ago.
I remember thinking the year 2000 will have us flying about in saucers in orbit or glass enclosed communities on other planets. Growing up watching the Jetson's and Lost In Space really kind of paved the way for my future thinking. I think the destruction of our planet will eventually force us to go 'up'.
And to think the 21st century still has us riding about on 4 wheels, cooking over heat or open flame, living in cave-like dwellings.
I feel ripped off in the sense I probably won't live to see the day of advanced technology. That is, if we get that far. Just what will our future bring?

GOODBYE MAY

Since my birth month is hours away from ending, I'd like to share some things that I like, in no particular order. :)

• the color green
• being a mom
• watermelon motifs
• toes squishing in mud
• frozen peach margaritas
• horse hooves on pavement
• all day thundershowers
• chocolate & almonds
• snuggling with him
• tropical islands
• lipstick
• girlfriend night
• smell of crayons
• waves crashing on the shore
• good cologne
• granmas tamales
• fresh cut grass
• silver jewelry
• road trips
• quality handbags
• taking pictures
• homemade pumpkin pie
• fall leaves rustling
• giggling
• finding cool shells
• kennywood park

remembering you on memorial day

small town
you already did your tour
runnin about town in that souped up camaro
i liked you instantly
packed all of our belongings
but we made it
barely
tumbleweeds, tarantulas, but where are the cowboys?
settled in fine
young but not alone
you know, 1+1=3
we'd sit and rock
you'd both fall asleep
second tour and you were relieved
where you relieved?
i'd watch you two
gymnastics, t-ball, motorcycles, soccer, football, 3 wheelers, basketball, hockey
you did it all, he did it all, we did it all
i'll never forget
what you gave
for him
for us
3-1=2

What am I?

i walk about the streets neglected
  seen many places
tho i seem to get around undetected

the years you know, have worn me thin
  somewhat tattered
tho tossed about, i never wonder where i've been

protruding nail didn't cause my pain
  no patches here
no doctors fees for someones gain

you need me more than i need you
  i'm sometimes smelly
when it's time you will renew

nothing seems to offer me solace
  tho i can be costly
you'll find me in your bottom closet