I WATCHED THE FLAG PASS BY ONE DAY
IT FLUTTERED IN THE BREEZE
A YOUNG MARINE SALUTED IT
AND THEN HE STOOD AT EASE.
I LOOKED AT HIM IN UNIFORM
SO YOUNG SO TALL SO PROUD
WITH HAIR CUT SQUARE AND EYES ALERT
HE'D STAND OUT IN ANY CROWD
HOW MANY PILOT'S PLANE SHOT DOWN?
HOW MANY DIED AT SEA?
HOW MANY FOXHOLES WERE SOLDIERS GRAVES?
NO FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
I HEARD THE SOUNDS OF TAPS ONE NIGHT
WHEN EVERYTHING WAS STILL
I LISTENED TO THE BUGLER PLAY
AND FELT A SUDDEN CHILL
I WONDERED JUST HOW MANY TIMES
THAT TAPS HAD MEANT AMEN
WHEN A FLAG HAD COVERED A COFFIN
OF A BROTHER OR A FRIEND.
I THOUGHT OF ALL THE CHILDREN
OF THE MOTHERS AND THE WIVES
OF FATHERS SONS AND HUSBANDS
WITH INTERRUPTED LIVES
I THOUGHT ABOUT A GRAVEYARD
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA
OF UNMARKED GRAVES IN ARLINGTON
NO FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
UNKNOWN
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