Before the Guard – v2

Standing watch, proudly,

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 memory

our shared consciousness

A day, a moment, like that day in Dallas

always to be hallowed, remembered

by our people, this nation

A weathered flag in the late afternoon

fitting sentry before the National Guard;

so many out there today, still,

defending us in those dark places

in part because of this date

seven years at war, invisible enemy

(five more years now)

But our flag flies still, proudly,

to remember, the resolve of a nation too;

that terror would be avenged

our way of life would prevail

that our dream together

will never die from the world

edited June 14, 2014

Before the Guard – v2

Flag Day

September 11, 2008

Before the Guard

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/09/before-guard.html

Army Guard, Loudon Road,

Concord, NH

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 30,430+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.