POEM- America the Great

My brother kneeling in prayer. An example of a God-fearing young man, the likes of which built this country.

Strips of cloth lick the circumference of the pole

Lashing back and forth, like barbed whips cutting into soul

A light illuminating the fading colors through mist

Cringe-worthy thoughts of gasses causing more than blisters or cysts

Red and white contrasting colors crash and snap

Pure blood claiming the uncharted land we’ve mapped

Nauseating stars, shooting across the squared blue sky

Wishes soldiers make, pulling the trigger, aiming with one dry eye

I watched as my brother hung up the flag

Some say it is sacred, others a decorated rag

The history books show America true

Unity seems impossible with red, white, and blue

It started from a war, a drive to rebel

Today, we are still trying to make our hearts fully swell

Is America Great? Is it enough?

We’ve come a long way; from hostile to tough

I am proud to look at a flag tattered and worn

Knowing it represents a fight for unity and love sworn

The flag wrestles in the night as a traumatic memory of sorrow

And waves in the day, to remind us of our continuing better tomorrow