The Pledge

there's a crackle over the loud speaker

and the bitter old woman bites out a 

"Good Morning." 

and it is good. 

there's a heartbeat of silence 

and the bitter old woman snaps out a 

"Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance."

and it is good. 

i stand and put my hand

over my heart and breathe in a quick breath to say

"I pledge allegiance to the flag..."

and it is good.

there's a red, white, and blue flag

in the center of my vision and a

"for all" on my tongue

and it is good. 

there's a moment where i hopehopehope that someone did it with me this time 

and i turn around i see that

no one

stood up with me again

and it is not good. 

i wait everyday for this opportunity

to stop for a moment and remember that

i am free because someone has died

and it is sad. 

to quietly reaffirm that

despite the corruptionpoliticswarfearhate

that may occur, i support my country

and i am proud. 

to think about my

grandfathergreatgrandfathergreatgreatgrandfatherandsoon

who served our country

and i am inspired.

i say the words every morning 

after the bitter old woman cracks out a 

"Good Morning."

even if it is not a good morning. 

and then i turn around to sit  back down 

after the bitter old woman barks out a 

"Have a good day."

only to find that no one has stood with me.

you who live with me in this land 

of the freebravevirtuousdiversemisunderstoodcorruptgood

refuse to remember, reaffirm, or think

and instead choose to 

talksnapchattextdrawwatchignore

and i am angry

and i do not understand

and it is not good.

but tomorrow i will hear the crackle of the loudspeaker

and the bitter old woman will bite out a 

"Good Morning." 

and i will hope that 

someone

will stand up with me to say the words

and be sadandproudandinspired

and it will be good.