Title: land of—? home of—?
Fandom: Original
Rating: General
Length: ~200 words
Content notes: US history and politics. Also wordplay.
Author notes: the specific flag I'm envisioning is one I saw earlier today. (it's in front of a sports bar.)
Summary: The US Flag Code also forbids such things as bumper stickers with US flag backgrounds and the text 'all gave some, some gave all'.


an American flag flies on South Sprague Street
24/7/365
there is never a moment to doubt
their patriotism

4 U.S.C. § 5 et seq
says don't display the flag in inclement weather
nor to fasten, use, or store it
where it might be damaged, dirtied, torn
so easily

high winds and hail will less easily fray
the parts with strongest social support
as always the fringes feel it first and worst

the flag on Sprague is battered, faded
stripe torn from stripe torn from star
perhaps one-third of the fabric remains

no one who might remove the outward show
of love for U! S! A!
to show concern for tattered, jaded
ideals of one nation indivisible
with liberty and justice for all—
to make a mends to a frayed fringe—

that flag still flies. that says it all.


the US Flag Code also says
when the flag is in such condition
that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display
then it should be destroyed in a dignified way
preferably by burning