The Flag

THE FLAG

Goosebumps travel up and down my arms
tears well in the corner of my eye;
I walk a little taller, my backs a little straighter
As I look at the flag waving in the sky.

The rows of red remind me
of all the blood that was shed;
The lives that were honorably given
the thousands that are now dead.

The stripes of white symbolize
the great, the pure, the proud;
Who paid the ultimate price
I sing their praises out loud.

The patch of blue, I hold true to my heart
It's the color of uniform I wear;
As I join the ranks to defend my country
I take this oath I swear.

Together the brilliant white stars
make a united front so strong;
We fight to the death for freedom
to the mightiest country we belong.

When I see the American flag
folded on a coffin, or lowered at half-mast;
I take a moment to reflect
about its colorful past.

The flag demands the greatest respect
it symbols our right to be free;
We uphold our duty to serve it
Here in Air Force ROTC!

Cadet Kimberley Raulerson 
Northern Arizona University
Det 021
1995

I wrote this poem my senior year of college two months away from commissioning. Unfortunately I was in a car accident a few weeks later, which medically discharged me from the opportunity to serve in the United States Air Force. I will never forget the camaraderie formed with the cadets in my detachment, bound by a common goal to serve our country with determination, dedication, and discipline.

Innocence Lost

Innocence Lost

The children “out there” in other countries, states, cities, neighborhoods, next door, in our own homes… are hurting….

   Abused

      Neglected

          Anger

             Drugs

                Addictions

                  Secrets

                      Used

                        Screams

                             Yelling

                                Beaten

                                    Mental illness

                                       Thrown away

                                          Hungry

                                              Lies

                                                 Deceit

                                                      Spoiled

                                                            Prostituted

                                                                  Laughed at

 Mocked

     Chained

           Unwanted

               Unloved

Fear fills their eyes instead of security
       shame is worn on their face not confidence

anger brims in their heart where love should be flowing

spirits are broken

dreams are shattered,

                 lives transformed  

The legacy of “evil” is passed down from generation to generation...the children bear the scars from their parent’s past....  questioning eyes plead for someone to explain why this is happening…..WHY?

  guilt

     shame

        apathy

             pain

                sorrow

          depression

                numbness

                    anger

                                    mistrust

                                      self doubt

                                          unworthiness

We are supposed to protect the children. When is enough …enough?

Innocence lost can never fully be recovered. When you crumple and tear apart a piece of paper it never is the same again. No matter how hard you try to tape the pieces back together or iron out the rough edges the paper doesn't bounce back to its original form.  Isn't damage to the heart similar or actually devastatingly worse?