Pity the Nation: A Cry for Moral Renewal

Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s “Pity the Nation” captures the socio-political, cultural, and linguistic malaise of a society gripped by materialism and complacency. It exposes how foundational principles can be overshadowed by political fallout, leading to a corrosion of values in the face of corruption and violence. Yet, the poem’s tone also hints at transformation and self-reflection, urging individuals to reclaim their moral compass.

Ferlinghetti (1919–2021)—an American poet, painter, social activist, and co-founder of City Lights Booksellers & Publishers—crafted this poem in 2007, near the end of George W. Bush’s presidency. Inspired by Khalil Gibran’s 1933 “Pity the Nation” from The Garden of the Prophet, Ferlinghetti offers a universal critique that remains eerily relevant today.

The poem’s lamenting voice, together with its kinetic, spatial, and temporal dimensions, underscores essential ideas: the loss of rights, the erosion of freedom, and the moral drift of a nation. Yet it also kindles hope, reminding readers of literature’s power to bridge isolated realities:

“We all search for meaning, longing to live and experience more.
Yet each life’s reality is unique.
Different perspectives and diverse experiences open doors to inclusivity, harmony, acceptance, and transformation.”

Through poetry, we explore thoughts, emotions, and situations beyond our own lives. It serves as a gateway to other creative arts, freeing us from closed-mindedness and fostering empathy—revealing that our joys and sorrows are shared, not solitary.

By integrating a sense of responsibility and collective well-being, “Pity the Nation” challenges readers to reflect on their roles in society. Its divergent viewpoints provoke critical thought about political stability, economic development, social cohesion, cultural identity, rule of law, and the protection of citizen rights.

Pity the nation whose people are sheep
And whose shepherds mislead them

Here, Ferlinghetti contrasts the powerless populace with manipulative rulers. He laments how “shepherds” exploit blind obedience, urging the “sheep” to awaken, improve themselves, and pursue national harmony.

Nation-building, as Dr. Jane Goodall reminds us, “requires discipline, patience, consistency, and cooperation from everyone.” She observes, “It is not too late to turn things around if we all do our part.” A truly successful nation uplifts humanity as a whole—so how committed are we to societal betterment?

Later, the poem mourns:

Pity the nation that raises not its voice
Except to praise conquerors

These lines highlight the gap between growth and stagnation. They celebrate free speech and ideological awareness, creating space for readers to resist corruption and violence, and to strive for independent, just societies.

Frederick Douglass once said, “The life of a nation is secure only as long as the nation remains honest, truthful, and virtuous.” By embracing these virtues and upholding the rule of law, citizens honor their responsibilities beyond selfish interests.

Ferlinghetti’s “Pity the Nation” thus stands as both a warning and a beacon of hope—a clarion call for moral renewal and collective action toward a progressive future.

Pity the Nation” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Pity the nation whose people are sheep
And whose shepherds mislead them

Pity the nation whose leaders are liars,
Whose sages are silenced,
And whose bigots haunt the airwaves.

Pity the nation that raises not its voice
Except to praise conquerors
And acclaim the bully as hero,
And aims to rule the world
By force and by torture.

Pity the nation that knows
No other language but its own,
And no other culture but its own.

Pity the nation whose breath is money,
And that sleeps the sleep of the too-well-fed.

Pity the nation—oh, pity the people
Who allow their rights to erode
And their freedoms to be washed away.

My country, tears of thee,
Sweet land of liberty!