Life Poem by Joanna Hamilton

See that flag?
The one with the stripes,
The one with the stars,
The one with the bullet holes?
Tattered, frayed edges
Waving strong
Despite its wounds
As the breeze blows meekly
Against its great power.

Shadow cast upon
The ground,
The blood stains long
Faded in the afternoon
Light shining down
Diagonal lines
White and black,
Stone and shadow,
The breeze blows meekly
Against their faded power.
But what they defended…

Standing tall,
Crouching low,
Aiming high,
Falling fast,
Dropping to earth
To defend their nation,
To defend their flag
That still flies high
Today over their bodies.
So long ago,
Those lives given to save
Their way of life.
Our way of life.

The gift of their life
For ours
To live our way
Under that flag
Waving in the breeze.

Despite its wounds
It stands tall
To show us all
The beauty of courage,
Of sacrifice,
Of honor,
Of life.