Red, White, and Breaking Blue

Freedom is more to be desired than love

Red, White and Breaking Blue

 

I will not strike tribute for you

In the golden halls of memory

Carrying pictures of moments

That meant nothing and to you

I will raise my banners in fields

Of freedom and magnolias

 

I will find the forests of the night

And green, dotted with pink mimosa

Skate on the edges of tiger eye cliffs

Blazing comet-kissed and brilliant

As lightning bugs courting in the dusk

 

I will not hold my silence

A living ghost haunting an empty house

Tattered pride clutched like wedding lace

Against wounds that never heal

I will sing my hymns for foxes and fair isles

The way I did before you came

The way I will again

 

You are not my Keeper

The orchestrator of my shivers and sighs

I am unbent and unbroken

Made in the image of something higher

This is my excelsior, clutched in my burning palm

I have no king this Independence Day

And the whole world will hear my shot.

 

-Zoe Richardson (2022)

Author's Note

Sometimes we all need a declaration of independence.

Reviews

[willweb]

This to me is something (as they say) to be shouted from the mountaintops. This is bold and this is proud, a bit defiant and a definite testament to strength of mind and determination. I can hear this echoing far off in the distance.

[Zoe Richardson]

I hope it does! Revolution is not something to be hidden. Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I'm so glad you stopped by.

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing poem dear Zoe.
"I will not hold my silence
A living ghost haunting an empty house
Tattered pride clutched like wedding lace
Against wounds that never heal
I will sing my hymns for foxes and fair isles
The way I did before you came
The way I will again"
The above lines stayed with me. The song of our memory make us want to escape and know peace again. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Zoe Richardson]

Sometimes you have to make a declaration. It strengthens one's backbone. I am glad you enjoyed my words and chose to be so generous with your praise!

[Coyote Poetry]

I loved the poetry dear Zoe.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the shot heard round the world...Independence Day for a country, but the thought of Independence from a loved one who tries to rule our lives instead of just living and loving with us.
No one is anyone's Keeper.
WE all need to be free to be who we are, when we are...where we are.
Very strong work in these last two poems, Zoe,
you do tell incredible stories with your words.
j.

[Zoe Richardson]

Your sincere praise is so appreciated. When I started writing poetry so many years ago I had to two goals. To paint with words what I see with my eyes, and to convey emotion in images. I like to think I hit that mark from time to time. So glad you found my purpose in this piece!

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

impressive. Yu give the reader many intelligent things to consider.

[Zoe Richardson]

Thank you, dearest one. I hope I give them courage as well. We don't gain freedom without scars. So glad you took the time to read and respond. Come by often!

[Brad Dehler]

Thank you for this declaration of independence. "Wedding Lace" especially struck me. Bravo Zoe -Brad

[Zoe Richardson]

Thank you! I am glad you liked my homage to freedom. Sometimes we must reframe loss and look beyond love. I am glad you appreciate what I found.