The U.S. stops to observe the war

The Monroe Doctrine confining thought

How democracy shakes at its core

How European battles grow fraught

“Make the world safe for democracy”

Wilson’s encouragement clammers loud

Americans sense atrocity

Their opposition to war avowed

Washington’s farewell address looms large

Foreign policy, neutrality

Into American psyche surcharge

But Wilson’s words snared morality

He swayed congress so into war we hurled

Victory made a new superpower in the world