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
an echo, a ribbon in our
memory,
connecting us as a people
Bound by the fire, the
resolve,
the winds of that moment
when terror found our
homeland
when we stood together as
one
A weathered flag in the late
afternoon
the golden light of autumn,
of the winter coming,
a 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
(six more years now);
how could it be so long ago
But our flag flies still,
proudly,
something to remember on
this election day,
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
earth
that we stand, we remain,
one people, united and free.
====
edited November 4, 2014
Before the Guard – v3
(editing version 2)
edited June 14, 2014
Before the Guard – v2
Flag Day
September 11, 2008
Before the Guard
Army Guard, Loudon Road,
Concord, NH
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poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
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Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage. See all 33,280+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
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