Freedom Flag
By Julia A. Keirns
The red, white and blue flapped in the wind
He looked up through tears as he lay on the ground.
It was torn from the battle, his mate lay dead
In the midst of the mud and the blood all around.
The battle was done, they had achieved their goal
And the flag stood firm at the top of the mound.
Ears ringing from bullets whizzing past in the air
But the deafness could not silence the pounding sound.
He thought of the world waiting for him back home
As his heartbeat slowed and calmed from the storm.
It hurt when he moved so he laid back down
And stared at the flag with the smoke all around.
The red and the white and the stars so clear
Had he really been fighting here more than a year?
He was tired and worn, he felt cold in the night
In the silence and darkness he relived the fight.
No glory he found in killing fellow men
Over what should be righteous to all in the end.
The river of red flowed thick to his hand
And the warmth of it comforted the war torn man.
The light in his eyes began slowly to fade
And sleep would be easily found.
If not to this freedom did he feel such a cause
And to her so earthly bound.
In the silence once more he heard the flag snap
So proud it waved through the flames.
His purpose fulfilled, she was safe once more
Until the next violent time around.
The battle fought well and freedom not claimed
By those who would take it away
Life would go on for those whom he saved
To live well for another day.
He felt just as weary as the old flag looked
And he struggled to take one more breath.
But he smiled in the end, it was worth all the pain
Ultimate freedom received at his death.
Copyright © Julia A. Keirns