On Flags 08-04-00

Whether planted for home or planet
Or in the everchanging soils of toil
Or carried crudely in vagrancy
the flagpole rises high for exhibition
but our standards don't always cling highly upon it
And these expressive compilations
Of moments in movement and monument
The fabric of person and polish
The merger of character and role
whether as progressive patchwork quilt hung on the winds
Or a fallen tapestry lounging on the grounds
to merely be what they think to see
Though a weave of all we pride to show
Our colors
Our symbols
The movement in our breeze
Carrying subtle hints of where we've been
In discoloration and wear
From past parasites and solar memories
From flapping in fiercely fabled forces
From soaking in foreign tears
They all show life and listlessness
If guilty threads hang loosely
Imperceptible
If fragile holes are patched hastily
Incredulous
If fading remains in creases disdain
Let it be only to learn