Before the Guard

Standing watch
A large flag, the stars and stripes
hanging heavy, sad, the sun
through the thin, worn fabric
Hanging at half-staff
before the Guard, on the strip
reminding us of the loss on this date
so recently still, a part of our collective
our shared consciousness

A day, a moment, like that day in Dallas
always to be hallowed, remembered

A weathered flag in the late afternoon
fitting sentry before the Guard
so many out there today
defending us in those dark places
in part because of this date
seven years at war, invisible enemy

But our flag flies still
to remember, resolve our a nation too
that terror would be avenged
our way of life would prevail
that our dream together
will never die

September 11, 2008
Army Guard, Loudon Road,
Concord, NH

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 41,680+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.