I pledge Allegiance to the flag

of the United States of America.

 

This first line always makes me queasy.

It doesn't sound

like something first graders could read,

Or second graders could understand,

Or third,

Or fourth.

In fifth grade you take a test

Where you have to spell

And capitalize every word

Perfectly.

 

Now in senior high,

the words sound

different

Monotonous

Feeling-ridden,

Like we're soldiers

Who've given up everything

Who've given up hope.

 

Sometimes I wonder

If we sell our souls to the devil

Everyday in second period

And one day,

He'll come collecting,

Dragging us away to war,

And when we beg

And plead

And protest,

He'll say we pledged our Allegiance

to the flag

of the United States of America.