wp-lg208

Let Me Heal

Acrylic on Canvas 64"x100"

N.A.

On June 12, 1774 the
American Flag was conceived.
The first day the American
Flag was used in battle was
The Battle of Brandywine,

September 11, 1777. On
September 11, 2001 She was
224 years and 89 days old.
May she endure in Peace.

I have flown high
Above the earth,
Warmed by the sun,
Pulled by the wind,
Refreshed by the rain
Of this great land.

I have been draped over
War-grey coffins of the Best and the bravest.
Lowered half-mast as
You, now defined by those
You have lost, fall on your
Knees in prayer

I have been a guardian
In the classroom where
Children have pledged to me,
Tender hands upon their hearts,
Sung my praises,
Placed their hopes in the folds
Of my colors.

I have marched in parades held
By Liberal and Conservative,
Democrat and Republican,
Black, White, Brown, Christian,
Jew, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, all
Bearing shared open wounds.

I have been waved, furled,
Unfurled, Adored, spit upon,
Burned, beloved,
And bombed in the name
Of War, In the name of Peace

I have stood in basketball courts,
Courtrooms, football fields and
Battlefields. I've been on the
Frontline, on the goal line
But never on the sideline.

I have colored your lawns,
Waved from your windows,
I have Been attached to your cars.
I even made it to the moon.
A part of my job

I reigned sovereign in your hearts
When I stood firm in the crossfire
Answering the calls to duty--
Weeping with the living,
Praying for your Dead

I have welcomed "the tired, the weary,
The huddled masses who yearned to
Be free"-no matter the country,
No Matter the race, no matter
The creed. I watched over them, too.

I am tired now, wounded too.
My stars are dimmed- So many Orphans, widows,
Disabled, Dispirited-
The dying and the dead.

I am resting against the sky,
Still humbled by the faith
You have in me. Engulfed
By flames of sorrow and WAR
Seared by a blackened sun

Scarred, parched, I break my
Silence and ask: "Am I collateral
Damage, too?"
Please. LET ME HEAL