flag day

 

in our family, this was dad's birthday first--he would have been 99 this year--but always a day to reflect on our freedoms and the birth of our republic.  i wrote this poem for a DAR contest--it didn't win but i still thought it was a good poem that conveyed my patriotism.

OUR FLAG

Flying high above the pavement, waving in the breeze,
a flag that tells a story--can I hear it again please?
Of souls resolved, united, courageous, brave and true,
to defeat a foreign tyrant, to free themselves....and you.
They came with tools and muskets, leaving farm and home behind.
They marched and bled and died, all patriots, allies in kind.
The cause seemed lost at times, but perseverance never waned.
And in the end victorious, independence finally gained.

But how to show the country, the victory won but long?
Dame Betsy Ross' needle, with skill and resolution strong, 
sewed a flag to wave most proudly, to remind and fly on high.
With stripes of red and white, and white stars on a deep blue sky.
The stars for thirteen states, now united together as one,
a symbol of the republic now that the fighting was done.
The nation grew and stars increased for each new added state.
The flag steadfastly flown thru conflicts, wars and debate.

But dissention for our flag emerged in recent days, 
forgetting its true meaning, not a symbol of individual ways, 
but of a nation born in struggle by those who knew no fear.
My wish for every American is to hold our flag so dear.
Don't kneel or turn your back when it flies from poles or domes.
Revere this hallowed symbol, of our United States, our home.
So when you see our flag at ballpark, business or door,
your hand to heart or salute for the bravest who've gone before.

(c) grace thorne 2024

long may she wave!