LONGITUDE

This island nation across to the East
A history spanning thousands of years
From flint to iron, steel and beyond
A cultural icon, many literary greats
Stories still told of Kings and Queens
Wars and Empires across all oceans
Exploration even from pole to pole
Yet as with all leaders of the world
Influence decreases slowly over time

That continent across to the West
A land of conflict and opportunity
Northern ice and Southern warmth
Each proud of their own identities
Stars on the flag reflect fifty states
From an initial thirteen as red bars
A capital engine that drives success
Even as the edges become blurred
Guns and Pharma now rule the day

The North Atlantic divides the two
Always a significant ocean to cross
By sea or air, the times must change
Five times reset, forward, backward
But that is only from coast to coast
America acknowledges seven more
But the world understands GMT
London based Greenwich Meridian
Perhaps a prime marker for history