Flags

*I wrote this poem in response to the loss and pain our country had faced some time ago. As you read, I hope you remember the strength of our unity, and the power of standing strong in the face of death, evil and adversity.

Why do we fly the flags half-mast?

I think it means something now it didn’t mean in the past.

What once was a symbol of grief and respect

Now represents hatred, blindness, neglect

For others, and the lives that are taken;

I think, somewhere along the line, someone was mistaken.

Our country is caught in the midst of a storm.

Since when did grief become the new norm?

Flying a lowered flag was a sign of hurt pride;

As mentioned above, respect for those who’ve died,

And their loved ones, who kneeled at their side and cried

For the future guaranteed which now is denied.

And for nearly a month when I go outside,

I’ve seen this sign of fallen pride.

Each day is filled with grief and despair;

You can feel the hatred filling the air.

The streets are full of strengthening tension,

Why can’t everyone just pay attention?

With every day lost,

We increase the cost --

The cost of the peace we so desperately want.

We spend so much time fighting and hating and blaming,

When we should be uniting, together reclaiming

This country we fought so fervently for,

The time to sit back and take is no more!

Now, I’m not saying we shouldn’t mourn a lost brother,

But mourning is one thing, giving up is another.

And flying our flags half-mast each day

Feels like we’re mourning a death on its way:

The death of us, this country, our nation.

It’s like we grieve in anticipation!

It's time for us to show respect

To those whose lives have gone and met

Their demise,

See in their eyes,

The way their kid turns and cries.

But now is the morning to mourn no more.

It’s time to stand tall, and settle the score.

Together is where we must unite,

For a future bright,

We can win the fight,

Perhaps the end may be in sight.

We must honor those we’ve lost not with sorrow,

But by being strong and united, for a better tomorrow.