Shades
of passion, dimly cast,
Crimson
shades in purple glass,
Seen
through bubbled windowpanes,
Hazy
shades of what
Shadows
of what used to be,
Softly
cast in
Misty
thoughts of days gone by,
Reflected
in a glistening
Days
when valor flowed with ease,
From
long forgotten gallantries,
When
unrestrained, we sought the truth,
Reinforced
by faith and
When
patriotic hearts prevailed,
While
selfish cravings dimmed and paled,
When
reverence soared for those who serve,
And
we raised our flag with steely nerve.
Shirk
not responsibility.
Rest
not till all who thirst are free.
Dare
not give credence to the lies,
And
insurrection’s alibis.
Raise
up as one and join our cause.
Lift
up God’s truth; uphold God’s laws.
Heed
not the despot’s wretched cries,
His
insurgency, and wicked lies.
Denounce
the mobs who sew mistrust.
Oppose
their slander with disgust.
And
do not let their falsehoods be
The
death knell of democracy.
Lift
our banner to the sky.
Bow
your backs and raise it high.
Honor
those who risked it all.
Boldly
answer duty’s call.
Give
no credence to the lies.
Don’t
dignify, don’t heed them.
Salute
with pride our flag-filled skies.
Uphold
the cause of freedom.
Shannon
Thomas Casebeer
September
25, 2021
