Pledge of Allegiance (Revised)

By Elizabeth Shvarts

Content Discussed: Mental Illness

Pledge of Allegiance: Revised” is a subversion of the American Dream through the lens of mental wellbeing; “gifted” is a gilded promise unraveled by statistics and a vow to embrace the strength of vulnerability.

We the children
We the scholars 
We the chipped ivory towers 
We the chalkboard chastened chasing
An american dream as soon as we learn the alphabet or rather
The language of repaying a debt we never co-signed
After all, what is first generation American if not a gamble on the
Promise our todays will envy our tomorrows 
A sunrise streaked in UV light blue red-rimmed skies whites of our eyes
Spider webbed help us piece ourselves together 
We the 7:30- 2:30 or 8-3, or overtime depending how long flute lessons two shifts at the laundromat therapy sessions if you’re lucky last 
Time I was able to sit still and stand tall and smile off the zoom screen
Was 1 and a half years ago and aren’t
We blessed but this temple is sick of sacrifices
Instead of learning derivatives I am learning to count again 
Remember: love is not a transaction of pinches and poundage 
I am trying to remember that softness is strength 

When self care is a commodity and chronic stress 
the call that follows no amount of cotton candy scented bath bombs 
or stress balls or box breathing sense into staccato can help

The American Psychological Association states 81% of Gen Z teens (ages 13–17) have experienced intense stress during the COVID-19 pandemic

We the people need to unravel our roots

Need spaces where we can thrive before we exist
Not an extra credit gpas is pittancer pity doesn't taste as sweet as empathy 
As hands of friendship as art 
We the people pledge allegiance to love hard and deep to living without apology and the knowledge
Joy is our birthright

Process

As a spoken word artist, I’m accustomed to performing, poetically and otherwise, in front of audiences of 20 to 2,000. However, performing a poem to an audience of one (a camera) is a feat both harrowing and utterly delightful in its intimacy and precision. To ensure the best possible lighting/production quality, I set up a tripod with a ring light to capture my face. Additionally, since the poem would be repurposed for a future Mental Health Advocacy Program, State of the Kids: Uniting For Mental Health Movement, I wore a blazer, and after several takes I settled on a video in which I glanced at the paper briefly and directed my facial expressions and delivery at the camera as if having a intimate, dynamic conversation.