America the Silent, America the Spoken
Simply stunning
stars on a block of blue fabric
blown by the wind,
shooting
left and right
like the bullets between
our soldiers
and our world enemies,
claims to stand for all.
They shine (not so surprisingly) only white—
uniform, sharp, elite.
As one who flies underneath a rainbow sky
the countries continuing practice
against all those of a different color,
creed, or robust nation,
is disconcerting beyond belief.
Oh, does that banner wave
on a breeze of systematic racism,
faltering education, and
dangerous violence—
but most of all,
silence.
However, where there is a poem,
there is the power of voice—
a voice from
a nation
founded upon the freedom
of speech.
Simply share, and there is
hope to change,
to grow,
to ensure the foundation
does not
crack.
It is that banner which I
support— spangled
supportive, and
simply stunning.