#spangled
The Star-Spangled Banner are Our Mangled Mannerisms
© Matthew Harlovic
Oct 28, 2014
Oct 28, 2014 at 9:34 PM UTC
Oh say can you see,
by the pale morning light,
what we hailed as so proud
in the last gasping night?
Whose broad myths and bright stars
through the long scripted fight
were so gallantly streamed
by the screens’ dying glare.
But the noise of the crowd,
and the sirens below,
prove the flag still was there,
only not what we swore.
Now it waves over questions
we were taught not to ask,
over hands that were silent,
over truth in a mask.
We were raised on the promise,
told to wait, told to kneel,
told that freedom was real
if we didn’t feel.
Oh say does that banner
still stand for the brave,
when the brave are the ones
they’re so eager to cage?
When the law wears a smile
and corruption a suit,
and the loudest commands
say “be grateful, stay mute”?
I’m coming of age
in a country that lies,
learning truth isn’t given;
it’s taken, it’s tried.
I won’t inherit excuses,
I won’t borrow their shame,
I’ve got blood in my voice
and a mind I can name.
So let this be known
as I stand here aware:
I don’t kneel to a symbol
if the people aren’t there.
And if hope still survives
in this wide, wounded land,
it lives not in the flag,
but in those who still stand
Apr 1
Apr 1, 2026 at 6:10 PM UTC