The Pledge of Allegiance?

It has become so natural now

to climb into my ol' pick-up truck,
put the key in the ignition, start in
first gear, accelerate to the appropriate
speed, shift to second gear, accelerate
to the appropriate speed, shift to third gear,
accelerate …, shift…and so on. I do it
now without thinking …

…and in classrooms everywhere,
it has become so natural now
for the children to stand, face the flag,
put their hands over their hearts,
"I pledge allegiance to the flag…," shift to right leg,
"…one nation under God…," shift to left leg,
"…indivisible with liberty…, shift to right leg again. It has become
so natural now without thinking…


…and in state buildings and the halls of Congress,
it has become so natural now
for our elected government officials
to stand, face the flag, put their hands over their hearts,
"I pledge allegiance to the flag…," shift to right leg,
"…one nation under God…," shift to left leg,
"…indivisible with liberty…, shift to right leg again. It had become
so natural now without thinking… (Their deliberate planning


of wedge issues, spin, gerrymandering, yellow journalism, the denial
of voting rights, and other contradictions to The Pledge of Allegiance
they will conduct as business as usual throughout the rest of the day!)

When I was a child, like the classroom's children  
I looked up everyday
at the high-soaring Bald Eagles,
spread enormous wings, powerfully stretching
accross the sky, as my soul rode  
on their backs, and enjoyed their view
 closer to Heaven. Confident and strong 
with great visions, they flew
 avoiding dangers, approaching safeties, and keeping me
inspired, with a sense of purpose and a sense of  
direction!

Now I rarely see the Bald Eagles any more;
They are almost extinct, replaced
by bald buzzards growing in numbers.
Birds who do not sore, but frequently circle 
the killing fields, picking on each other,
spreading their stench
here and around the world, fighting 
to divide up the spoils!


Lord, I miss the Bald Eagles -- especially
The American Bald Eagles-- when I hear

THE PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE!

by

James A. Porter