Old
Glory
(six weeks after 9-11-01)
The proud banner still hangs
neglected now
unnoticed
after the initial shock
and grief
and pride
mixed
with feelings of helplessness.
Its vivid
colors,
drab and dusty
weathered
like summer's umbrella
left out
beyond the days of sunshine
and morning coffee outdoors.
Autumn leaves
and Halloween
adorn suburban lawns
the flag
now hanging
with plastic spiderwebs
and cutout spooks
and goblins.
The neighbors
have forgotten
the dignified emblem
on the radio antenna
of their car
flying torn
and battered
its ribboned shreds
chattering
as they drive to the mall.
Pick-up trucks
and fire engines
still brandish
their huge
Stars and Stripes
charging to work
like cavalry soldiers
leading their company
into battle.
The USA
will have
a red, white, and blue
Christmas
as holiday parades
resemble the Fourth of July
with Santa
in his patriotic
T-shirt
and religious pageants
echo
ringing political appeals.
American
mom's and dad's
struggle
with choices
of toys
to buy
so as not to glorify
violence
while other parents
with bombs falling in the night
try to protect
their children
from crumbling homes
freezing winter winds
hunger
and the noise of war.
October
20, 2001
© 2001 Richard Sidy
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