Why Isn’t the Flag Flying at Half-Staff?

Poetry

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Why isn’t the flag flying at half-staff
symbols are a powerful comfort
to a nation that is scared
in these uncertain times
when the number of people
sick and getting sicker
ratchet higher and higher
in total cases of Coronavirus

Eyes turned, hearts looking on
what symbol will they see
when the flag is flying full-staff
and their loved one is descending
deeper down
into poorer and poorer health
how many sick people
how many dying and dead
will it come to
before the flag
with its fifty stars and thirteen stripes
representing a United States
is finally lowered
to show unity
in recognizing the tragedy
befallen the people
of this great country

As each person descends into sickness
so too should the flag lower
and in so…