when
I first started my education
the
morning began
with
the pledge
the
indoctrination of the young
when
all is fresh
and
christmas is still believable
just
so the words
that
later begin to take on a dull chill
giving
myself to a piece of cloth
covered
in three colors
that
flood the sky
and
the walls of gymnasiums
hanging
in classrooms
from
the form of government
that
has surrounded my daily life
since
I began to see and breathe
cloth
that rips and tears in high winds
cloth
I'm suppose to worship
as
if it were the promises it can't fulfill
we
stand claiming we are united
believing
in an invisible being
who
overlooks our classrooms
to
give us stars for spelling
and
smiles when we've raised our hands
to
say something that correctly follows
the
question we've been posed
then
the promises end our little speeches
when
we know we're all the same
expecting
everything from this static symbol
two
words that lie each time we say them
liberty
and justice
liberty
and justice
liberty
and justice
when
awaking 55 years from the first time
the
words were asked to be repeated
in
Miss Knutson's kindergarten
when
asked to believe in a lie
and
we are no different
from
the one
who
grows up proud of his uniform
playing
his drum
and
thinking others are less than he is
that
he is superior
that
we are superior
for
all
above
all
who
are neglected
who
stand next to me
in
their first day's dress
or
starchy jeans
proud
mothers and fathers
who
bought this lie and pass it on
to
their children just as they were passed it
a
sagging pigskin
that
has lost all its air
that
won't make it to the 30 yard line
when
kicked from the 20
a
red, white and blue
gasbag
of a nation
sagging
at the front of my classroom
with
little lungs trying to fill it
like
the holey sail
on
a sinking stick
we
play with after rain during recess
oh,
these colors don't run
except
from the words
unsure
children are expected
to
repeat repeat repeat
in
an endless mantra of of illusion
that
forgets
some
of these little voices
won't
be allowed
won't share
won't
have
its
last six words
to
eat today
in
the meal of promises
it
exacts from their innocence
Copyright
© 2012 by Barry G. Wick
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