There is a Flag

There is a flag that is flown

It is unseen by the public eye

It's flies in the heart of every man

Only he knows to what it gives honor

Some men choose to honor their flesh only

Given to the task of gaining pleasure

Some live sacrificially, never knowing wealth for themselves

Others chase success to it's death

Many sit back and watch and do none of these at all

Some do all of the above

Not the exclusion of others some do all under the guise of retribution

Some for self glory

There are even fewer who seek the sacrifice for others, even into death

Maybe successful maybe not

Fleeting moments of pleasure surely

But overall pain and loss,

Terror and fear are reserved for those

Who give all and hold nothing back

Nothing more bittersweet than the taste of death for ones country

For we honor the sacrifice if it seems noble - what tragedy

And look in disgust if it seems for naught. 

But we forget and forsake that they sacrificed what we would not

Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend

Sometimes that friend is a foe instead

But always that friend is freedom

Why do we stand idly by?

Lest we forget

Breathe in deep, hold that lifeline and drink it deep

Let the air flow through your lungs

Our life in freedom cost that breath taken from another

Reviews

[Chris]

some choices always remain to be taken and made again and again

[Ben Noah Suri]

Lovely and meaningful write.... You made me look closely at the flag flying within me and that is the greatest achievement of this write.... Liked the way you ended it....

[Saruwa]

Thank you Suri Ben Noah, I am so glad. That is what I set out to do with the poem, thank you.