Poetry Train…
A Piece of Fabric…
Holding a piece of fabric in my hand,
I stare down at it and wonder
How can such a simple pattern mean so much?
Blue square with white stars,
Red and white stripes covering the rest,
Telling a story of a country.
To some, it symbolizes democracy.
To others, it symbolizes tyranny.
To some, it’s hope.
To others, it’s disillusionment.
To some, it speaks of confidence.
To others, it tells of arrogance.
For some, it flies over the country they love,
Calling them home from places in the world
They’ve gone to protect or serve.
For others, it flies over the country they hate,
Calling to them from places in the world
They don’t think the country needs to be.
A simple piece of fabric billowing in the wind,
Telling a tale of those who have died for it
Or those who have died to destroy it.
T.A. Chase copyright c.2008
Holding a piece of fabric in my hand,
I stare down at it and wonder
How can such a simple pattern mean so much?
Blue square with white stars,
Red and white stripes covering the rest,
Telling a story of a country.
To some, it symbolizes democracy.
To others, it symbolizes tyranny.
To some, it’s hope.
To others, it’s disillusionment.
To some, it speaks of confidence.
To others, it tells of arrogance.
For some, it flies over the country they love,
Calling them home from places in the world
They’ve gone to protect or serve.
For others, it flies over the country they hate,
Calling to them from places in the world
They don’t think the country needs to be.
A simple piece of fabric billowing in the wind,
Telling a tale of those who have died for it
Or those who have died to destroy it.
T.A. Chase copyright c.2008
6 Responses “Poetry Train…”
It’s funny that a symbol speaks so eloquently in opposing ways. But there’s no question that a flag is the most potent of symbolic languages.
You know I’m not American, but I still know what a flag mean for a country…
It is a beautiful poem!
Thank you from my heart. We both thank you.
Yvonne B.Moore-Capt USAF Nurse Corp(1978-1988)
Robert C. Moore-Col USAF Medical Corp
This was very moving. When I was in basic training they played us the song, Proud to be an America (is that what it is called?) By Lee Greenwood and it took on new meaning for me. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room after that song was done. This reminds me a lot of that.
Thank you TA. 🙂
You’re welcome, Ann.
I’m glad you had fun on vacation. Oh, good luck with your meeting. I’m sure everything will be fine. 🙂
Well done TA.
I’m really an ambivalent flag person. Too many waving from vehicles and I’m not really in sync with the pledge, but sometimes I forget what it means for people. My older(by 10 years) brother died in the army when I was seventeen, he thought things symbolized by the flag were worth dying for.
Thanks for reminding me that it is sometimes more than something waving raggedly from a pickup truck.
Ann
p.s. vacation was great. Huge meeting with my academic advisor tomorrow on my thesis. I might have to wait for Tuesday until Wednesday. 🙂