dave steger

on the shore, at night, in all the light

The porches are all lined with tiki torches
As the sky lights up and scorches
Reds and blues, purples and greens
Making us content and warm or so it seems
It's another independence day
And I know I have something to say
But I can't find the words-
To explain how I feel
About the way an attack can suddenly make nationalism seem real
It's never real-
It used to be different
It used to be right
It used to make faces bright
Now you tell me that I should fear
These things that you say are clear
As we hide behind these flags of confusion
Like it's a silly illusion-
We can't see those we trust
Gravely screwing us on lust
The lust instilled
Our brains filled
By news breaking
And taking-
The innocence we used to have
My condolences go out to those who have not
My soul aches for the knot-
In your heart,
That cannot be replaced
Everyday faced-
With the horrifying truth
That it's another independence day
And if I may,
If I may say,
For all those who went away
Rest easily now where you lay.