A Dream Differed

We celebrate freedom, yet chains remain, Independence Day, with limited gain. We wave our flag, but voices are suppressed, And democracy's just a distant guess. We sing of liberty, but dissent's not allowed, Free speech is curtailed, and rights avowed. The nation's rich, but wealth's not shared, And power's held tight, with no care. We mark this day, with mixed emotions true, Freedom's promise, yet to be pursued. We yearn for change, for a brighter day, But for now, we'll whisper, "Is this independence?"