I pledge allegiance

Waving high above the ground

red                                           white                                          blue

Made in China

When the guns are fired,

sparks sizzle as seconds slow to a motionless               halt.

Dust flies, grains of sand shattering the wall of invincibility

to the flag

it hits hard, the warmth rushing through, floating, feeling nothing.

the ambient light blinds, as if you were a bat awakening from a dark sleep.

muffled noises of weary footsteps, endless waves of watering eyes.

of the United States of America

lifted slowly into a mahogany cradle, of everlasting rest.

whispered lullabies of longing for eternity.

One family, prays to god.

divided.