---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Skeletons” Down in the Dirt, v188 (the October 2021 Issue) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology Stardust in Hand the Down in the Dirt Sept.-Dec. 2021 issues collection book		get the 422 page Sept.-Dec. 2021 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Patriotism the Last Refuge for Scoundrels?

Richard K. Williams

One holiday weekend
my friend from England
questioned the sincerity
of the multitude of flags
flying all along Maine street.
“Do you suppose they’re there
in case we forget
what country we’re in?”

America’s been that way
since nine eleven.
We were all just waiting for a reason
to become a nation of flag wavers
following the sixties, Vietnam and Watergate.

We needed a reason to show off our
over inflated image of ourselves.
To flaunt patriotism before the world
as if it were some newly discovered cure
for some fatal disease haunting humanity.

Flags began appearing everywhere
television showed crowds
gathered in the streets
carrying scores of flags.
It reminded me of the old films
from Nuremburg.
When patriotism mutated
into a rabid infestation.

But the great melting pot
is not like that.
Give us your tired
your poor, your huddled masses.
Hurry up though,
because pretty soon the melting pot’s
going to boil over and they’re
pushing to close the borders.
become a nation under lock down.

The good news is
we’re a television country
with a short attention span
and even shorter short term memory loss.

The vast majority of the population
is barely existing, living paycheck to paycheck
to pay medical bills, child care, credit card debt
afford food, heat, mortgages or rent.
Leaving little room to become obsessively proud of
“the greatest country in the world”
This unfortunately, leaves plenty of room for the scoundrels.
Count your blessings, in god we trust, amen.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...