Home of the Brave by Tanya Renee Cochran

Home of the Brave

by Tanya Renee Cochran

They did not see

the rockets' red glare,

hear

the bomb in air

on earth

bursting,

had no proof

no proof -

our flag

(I pledge allegiance...

with liberty and justice

for all),

our forces,

our faces

(filled with agony -

eyes of tears,

mouths of prayers) -

we were still there...

here.

While mothers clung to their screaming babies,

husbands and wives were torn from embracing

(sliced like meat),

fathers chanted prayers

and

a mournful plea rose unison above their shaven heads

the silent sky swallowed,

The stars over Auschwitz broke

and the striped, numbered uni-

forms

lay limp,

oversized

on skin-covered skeletons...

over Washington faded

and Old Glory

lay limp,

overstated

on her pole.