Republicans may say it's just a drag
to have the Union Jack upon our flag;
but there are many who would rue the loss
if it no longer held the Southern Cross.
Some wish it bore a blazing yellow sun,
my thinking's that, when all is said and done
the world rotates, and other days will dawn,
without a flagpole standing on my lawn.
If I enstaffed a banner it would fly
depicting concepts I'd want to stand by;
like peace and safety to all on these shores,
and to the persecuted, open doors.
The worth of fairness, tolerance and truth;
that bigotry is never, ever couth.
May sense, not dogma, rule our way of life,
and let us not rejoice in others' strife.
But symbolism has its limits too;
our true intents are not out in plain view.
Does cloth bear stars or stripes or spots?
As far as I'm concerned, it matters not.
I'm not a bumper-sticker kind of guy,
and I don't really care what flag you fly;
just offer friendship, leave behind all hate,
and you'll be welcomed stepping through my gate.
|
Author Notes
Today's word: enstaff (v.) to hoist a flag.
I didn't post this because of "flag day" in the U.S. - it was the word my book offered, so I had to go with the theme.
I really don't think it would hurt anyone, anywhere, if there was a little less flag-waving in the world, and a little more reasoned discussion.
My much-treasured Christmas present for 2017 is a book by Paul Anthony Jones: "The cabinet of linguistic curiosities". Each page contains a descriptive story about some obscure or archaic word. It occurred to me it would be a fun exercise to try and write, each day, a poem featuring the "word of the day" from the book.
Thanks for reading.
|
|
