Republic， your cool hands On my schoolgirl shoulders.
Not sure what allegiances meant Until the vows were held by heart，By memory， by rote， by benign betrothal.
Republic， you were mine， I knew Because of Mother's religious pamphlets：Lindsay for Mayor.
McGovern for President.
How to Register Voters.
I didn't ever want to go to school On Saturdays. The baby-sitter said If Nixon won， I'd have to go. Me，Your most cherished child bride.
I wanted a white communion dress Like the ones the Catholic girls wore.
Republic， you know I wanted to play Cards with Mother. Mother smoking Marlboros， watching Watergate all week.
Citizen Mother all consumed at that confessional.
I liked the name Betsy Ross.
I liked the idea of sewing flags.
I liked the tattered textbook about the colonies.
So tender， so tender. My Republic，I am pledged by my childish troth So strangely to you.