The Symbol, It Is You

A symbol of respect, pride, and strength,
not to be ruffled, wadded, or soiled,
to be folded, unfurled, raised for all to see,
at home, in school, at the old county courthouse,
as in going into battle, resounding victory.

Not to be tattered, torn, or burned in effigy,
rather, a symbol of hope to those in bondage,
of hate, for those who seek to enslave,
of patriotism, to those who guard fiercely,
enshrined with those who died for liberty,
entrusted to each generation to decide its fate,
to be the most loved, or most hated,
to be seen in every city, state, and on foreign soil,
wherever seen, America is found.

No other symbol rises above, or would be allowed,
representing freedom, recognized the world round,
a powerful adversary to an enemy,
a gentle giant, to those who are represented.

A symbol of red and white,
with fifty shining stars on a field of blue,
call it a flag,
in reality it is you.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard