April 18–21, 2022

Poetry

Apr 21

REFLECTIONS

In the mirror I see me

But not the me I wish to be

No matter what I only see

Through shame or animosity

Through pride or partiality

Without true objectivity

How can I know that I see me?

Red eyes, tired

Orange sheets, rumpled

Yellow skin, jaundiced

Green bottles, emptied

Blue blanket, sealed

Violet light, prescribed

O say can you see, by the early morning light

What so proudly we hailed throughout the previous twilight’s gleaming

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, throughout the perilous battle

O’er the tall ramparts we watched were very gallantly flapping

And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs exploding above us

Gave us proof through the duration of the night that our flag had remained up.

O say does that banner that we spangled with stars continue to wave,

O’er the land of the free people and the home of those of us who are courageous.

The Unbroken Line shall be severed at last,

To rectify ongoing wrongs.

A long, oaken spear which endeavored too fast,

Returns to the land it belongs.

The sins of the many, the sins of the past,

Hot coals to be held without tongs.

The time now approaches, the die has been cast,

When foals will geld stallions with songs.