I cannot see America

anymore, she has slipped away,

ghost like but on fire, flames

orange, red and cobalt blue,

the stripes scorched,

the stars starting to singe

and the great experiment dies

a little more each day,

in anger, frustration and with the word of God

upon their cracked and dishevelled lips;

ghost and fire,

I mourn you now

every which way possible.

Ian D. Hall 2016