Each country has its symbols, flags, distinctions. We let these things define us, divide us, when in truth, most of us want the simple things: connection, care, peace.


The Flag of Love

I was proud to be an American
thinking the country I lived in exceptional,
above all others, believed the history I was taught
not realizing it was incomplete, inaccurate,
slanted towards building the narrative
that would keep us all believing.

I see my country clearly now.

America is a place, a land defined by borders set
as colonizers pushed, killed, claimed
until from sea to shining sea
we had it all, united.

That word feels true only when disaster strikes,
tears are shed, and war begins
to do unto others as they did unto us,
or to make a few bucks in the warring.

The illusion of patriotism keeps us willing to fight,
confident in any cause presented as defending freedom,
chained to an ideal.

Imagine the difference if there was no love of country,
if borders defined for governance
did not govern the care we have for others?

What if we looked beyond the flags we fly,
saw the souls beneath them
and in them, saw our own?

Countries change as wars are fought,
as laws are changed,
as money moves from hand to hand,
but love of people should stand above
the flags of every country.



Poetry by Melinda K Zarate The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 66 times
Written on 2026-07-05 at 17:15

Tags Country  Love  Peace 

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Griffonner The PoetBay support member heart!
My goodness! This is such a pleasing poem to my way of thinking. The painful thing that I have come to believe is that we have the power to make this happen - if only we realised it; if only we would WANT it. It is by no means a novel thought that if all those who do want this concentrated our thinking and actions then it would happen, but for some inexplicable reason we are unable to do that concentration. I think the' system' perpetuates that state, because people are kept in a spiral of constant stress and struggle even to get the basics of life these days... as the few steal and leech freedom and wealth away from the many. Wake up friends, we can do this. We have the power. Blessings, Allen
2026-07-06


Albert Vynckier The PoetBay support member heart!
very good
2026-07-05