Lou J. Klaiber

I AM YOUR FLAG

Anthony Pahl at the San Francisco National Cemetery: 2002
Photograph ©Copyright November 11, 2002 by Anthony W. PahlKnow this Americans!
… that I fly at half mast
when your heart cries!

Am burned
when you hate yourselves.

Fly high on days blest by the Sun!

… days so breezy with goodness!
Lazy days
when you eat the tender
goodness of Freedom.

Now
I carry,
destroyed,
and in pieces;
the dreams of 6000!

plus the tears of families!
The wailing of small children.

I fly your hopes, and
the sobbing of your despair!

I am your symbol
tri-colored………
windswept!

I dream the work of Liberty!
the tears;
the sacrifices; the death
that is yours.

Without you…
I fly no more.

Without you,
free people will be
no more.

Paint your face with Victory!
Your soul with Eternity!
Rage
as never before………

The unborn will bless…
and remember
what you do!