There is a chill, a feeling of the super-natural

when I hear your anthem being sang by the citizens

of the flag, resplendent in red and white, the colours

of victories past and battle hardened men,

of women, proud, noble and strong, perhaps by design

the strongest of them all, but the ones with rose-like cheekbones

standing to attention when something humorous happens,

the ones for whom the tears fall silently as justice is done.

The first stirrings of your anthem were audible on a Wednesday night