Sheridan Stewart

Sheridan Stewart is 13 years old and has lived on the coastside her entire life. She is honored to be featured in this web archive after being on her school’s literary magazine editorial board for the past two years and publishing two literary magazines, vyris and FYR. Sheridan is also a musical theatre actress, plays piano and trombone, and loves reading. She enjoys debate, Shakespeare, and helping others with writing and editing their work.

Poem on Belonging

AMERICA, OH LAND OF THE FREE

America, oh land of the free, 
You’ve seen our struggles, joy, and hope.
You’ve seen the ways we dust ourselves off and cope.
You’ve seen how we unite to confront our challenges.

America, oh land of the free,
Day after day we battle for equality,
Day after day we represent our democracy’s quality. 
Day after day we will make change. 

America, oh land of the free,
Together we are stranded in our houses, trying to make the best.
Together we wonder; shut down our borders, let our economy rest?
Together we find ways to be far apart but together at heart. 

America, oh land of the free,
The time for change has come, with a new president at its head.
The time for change has come, better days are ahead.
The time for change has come, joining our people together under our new leaders.

America, oh land of the free, 
We stand up to abusers, women stand out with pride,
We stand up to prejudice, to be led by a woman in the second-highest position nationwide,
We stand up for the rights of the women of America. 

America, oh land of the free, 
Once again, our loyalty to our people is shown with peaceful protests to promote acceptance. 
Once again, our determination is shown fighting wildfires, researching vaccines, and pushing away repentance.
Once again, our sense of unity is shown helping our fellow citizens during times of uncertainty. 

America, oh land of the free, 
The times ahead are hazy jumbles that we must plow through.
The times ahead remain hopeful, optimistic, and new. 
The times ahead will show America in its best light, doing what’s right. 

America, oh land of the free, 
No matter what happens, the rivers still flow,
No matter what happens, the stars still glow,
No matter what happens, our nation continues to be strong. 

Copyright © 2022 Sheridan Stewart. Used with permission of the author.

Watch Sheridan perform her poem, “America, Oh Land of the Free”.

Sheridan is a contributor to the collaborative poem, “The Many Voices Word Karaoke”.