Memorial Day, 2029

Traditions go on and on

Until we forget why.

Then they go on and on, still.

There they lie,

Willing sacrifices.

We would have drowned long ago

Without them.

Sacrifices to Liberty.

Sacrifices to Democracy.

Sacrifices to All Created Equal.

Hollow words,

Meaning long forgotten.

Hollow flag,

Meaning long forgotten.

Buried in ash.

“We hold these truths to be self evident.”

Ashes.

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union…”

Ashes.

Freedom of speech,

Ashes.

Freedom of the press,

Ashes.

Freedom to assemble,

Ashes.

Freedom of religion,

Ashes.

Of the artists,

Ashes.

Of the journalists,

Ashes.

Of the teachers,

Ashes.

Of the schools,

Ashes.

Of the Other,

Ashes.

Of the nation,

Ashes.

Of the world,

Ashes.

Traditions go on and on

Until we forget why.

Then they go on and on, still.