Tonight's Poet Corner: Please Rise For Our National Anthem

Please Rise For Our National Anthem
by Belinda Roddie

This just in
from my corner of the world
I see stars and stripes
but not much patriotism
There's fire burning deep in
my stomach like whiskey
I can feel my skin steaming
like I'm on the grill of a Fourth
of July barbecue

It's colder here than up north
but warmer than back east
I'm not trying to sound superior
but the heroes are wearing clown
make-up instead of war paint
and the oils are dripping like
black and white tears - it's a bit
embarrassing to watch

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