Fly a Clean Flag

This I heard the Old Flag say

As I passed it yesterday:

“Months ago your friendly hands

Fastened me on slender strands

And with patriotic love

Placed me here to wave above

You and yours. I heard you say

On that long departed day:

‘ Flag of all that's true and fine,

Wave above this house of mine;

Be the first at break of day

And the last at night to say

To the world this word of cheer:

Loyalty abideth here.’

“Here on every wind that's blown,

O'er your” portal I have flown;

Rain and snow have battered me,

Storms at night have tattered me;

Dust of street and chimney stack

Day by day have stained me black,

And I've watched you passing there,

Wondering how much you care.

Have you noticed that your flag,

Is to-day a wind-blown rag?

Has your love so careless grown

By the long neglect you've shown

That you never raise your eye

To the symbol that you fly?”

“Flag, on which no stain has been,

‘ Tis my sin that you're unclean,”

Then I answered in my shame.

“On my head must lie the blame.

Now with patriotic hands

I release you from your strands,

And a spotless flag shall fly

Here to greet each passer-by.

Nevermore shall Flag of mine

Be a sad and sorry sign

Telling all who look above

I neglect the thing I love.

But my Flag of faith shall be

Fit for every eye to see.”