I’ve just about
lost count, haven’t
you? Who is it this time?
How many shot dead
and duly recognized?
I’ll tell you what it means
if it means anything at all,
Old Glory in decline,
the lowering of all we held
sacred until the banner
never meant to fall itself
lies useless, lifeless
on the pavement.
What will we do then?
Will our thoughts and prayers
that couldn’t keep it up
avail to raise it up again?
Will we who wouldn’t pull
with all our might
to make it fly stoop
to pick it up
or merely wonder why
it droops so low again?
I’ll tell you why.
I’ll tell you what I think
if it means anything at all.
The white is for cowardice.
The red is the blood of innocence.
Blue is for wishful thinking and
the stars all live in Hollywood.
♠