My friend Rev. Dr. Thomas Sabel and I have known each other since 1972. Tom served in the U.S. military, is a professor, and is a Lutheran pastor. He is also a very good poet. Dear America is a set of 22 short postcards Tom wrote to his country: part love letter, part complaint, from someone who still cares enough to say what hurts. We are publishing them in five parts, all at once, in the order Tom wrote them. — Robert K. Green, Ph.D.
Dear America,
I won’t remind you of the horrors you committed. You’ve become hardened against the stories caked with blood long dried, but the stain refuses to fade.
Dear America,
You’re not exceptional. Their rules apply to you too. I wish I didn’t have to tell you.
Dear America,
After all these years, do you think France would take back the Statue of Liberty as a return?
P.S. Please understand, I’m writing this because I care.
Dear America,
If you weren’t going to hell in a handbasket, I’d weave you one to get you there.
Which postcard would you send to America? Leave yours in the comments.
Read the whole series: Part 1 · Part 2 · Part 3 · Part 4 · Part 5
Poems © 2026 Thomas Sabel. Published with the author’s permission.
