The Colors of Independence

Antithetical thoughts on the Revolutionary War and the American flag

Red filled wounds struck when independence bled ~

   Opened as minds closed

   weeped, while oppressors laughed 

   infected by sterile hearts

dead lived where words of resistance had said,

  “spoken truth remains silent”

  “freedom cannot be taxed”

  “speech is never mute”

led by valor, courage spilled coats of red.

.

White surrendered innocence when men fight 

   wars waged for peace 

   campaigns marching to truce

   battles ceasing life’s fire

right, left banners waved to guide proven night

   through to the end 

   past a dark future 

   over people put under 

light dawned early, painting hope in pure white.

.

Blue persevered when free will staged a coup ~

   common crossed a king

   revolution became proud tradition 

   faith left no doubt 

true lies dictate what history will pursue 

   in God without 

   for legacies fought against 

   now, opposed to then

subdue fear, while vigilance protects blue.

.

Flames touch stars that hail our forefather’s names ~

   melting red blood frozen 

   burning white hot salvation 

   licking blue skies kissed

“Claims lost dignity!”  Purple Heart exclaims,

  “given liberty, democracy takes”

  “representation allows inalienable anonymity”

  “blind eyes now see …”

proclaims, “stripes of every color, bleed flames.”

2022

   

   

Author's Note

Flames represent our collective energy. I did research on what the colors of the flag symbolize. And I may have sprinkled bits of the national anthem throughout. Every time I write God into a poem I hear about it from someone, so I want to do some preemptive ‘splainin’. Before history was recorded by cameras and computers it was at the mercy of they who write it. Rarely does history recognize God. On all our money it says, ‘in God we trust’. I don’t believe very many in our nation have trust in a god anymore. Fewer and fewer. But religious freedom is what got the whole show going. I would be very interested in what ‘representation allows inalienable anonymity’ means to you. Or anything else that catches your brain. I hope you read all the clues and structure of this poem, like where I changed tense. This one hurt billigami’s brain ... so good!

I want to thank Aura for inspiring me with colorful poetry and conversation about colo[u]rs. And jacob erin-cilberto for motivating me with complaints that I haven’t been ‘letting it go’ lately. I hope this fills those holes in your head j.

Reviews

[lightsong]

This is strong and solid. a very well written piece, I might not be able to grasp all your meaning, as me being a none-American, but this doesn't lessen the strong feeling of it. considering the theme, the search, the smartness, and the structure of Mr. Billigami, I recommend this one, You know for what.

[William Michael Reeves]

If this poem resonates with a none-American such as yourself that is a good sign. Independence is a global desire. Even there in the 5th heaven I'm sure. So complicated is the structure that I might not have considered this one. Your insight is the light I need as I try to gather my song! Thank you

[William Michael Reeves]

I keep thinking about your describing this poem as solid. That means something to me. The parameters I established are complicated and create density that really is solid. Your insight is again right on. Thank you. (David Bowie sings a song about how he doesn't want to be an American. Perhaps that's what a none-American is.)

[Alla Antsis]

What an incredible piece of seasoned work! Passionate, educational, patriotic... Love it! I now will never look at our flag the same way again! Brilliant!

[William Michael Reeves]

If I am able to change your perception, then I'll call that a success!! The flag has gone through many changes in our short history, but the colors have never changed. Thank you so much Alla!

Bill

[Neville]

this was more than a poem .. it was an education in its very own write .. and certainly bridged a few of the gaps I had previously had as an outsider ... Neville

[Aura]

Wow! I love how you used the colours red, blue and white in this poem to create a purple flame at the end! You speak of the U.S independence from Britian with passion, red passionate flames erupt. White innocence blends in wars needed for peace, protests for a truce etc. White is needed to calm the red flame because it helped to understand why these wars emerged in the first place and why there is protesting, the innocent white, from your poem helps to understand that. Blending white, blue, red together and what they all symbolize creates a shade of purple signifying the independence the U.S sought from Britain. A cool poem Bill, I enjoyed the read. I also enjoyed the form, the 3 line stanza with tercets in between. Pretty cool!

[William Michael Reeves]

Thank you so much Aura! My only wish was I should have got more purple in there. But that'd be another couple stanza. I liked that idea you found. White calms the red. Softens the resulting purple. Thanks for being inspirational. I suppose if we hadn't won the war we'd be spelling color, colour, here in America. But we'd have a queen and that'd be ok! Thanks

[Aura]

You are most welcome! It is a strange thing how Americans came to spell differently from the British. Even though other territories that used to be controlled by Britain still spell like the British like colour, neighbourhood, judgment etc. I guess the Americans wanted the most distinction they could get from Britain... in fact the accents are even different, So interesting don't you agree?! Maybe you could write another stanza for purple and see what your mind comes up with. I like the poem how it is right now, but who knows what a mind can come up with once it is tasked with a challenge!

[William Michael Reeves]

You dare to challenge me!! I love it! One moment please. Well, maybe two. I need to post a certain Sonnet.

[Aura]

Yes I do challenge you.... oh wait... no I Dare you!!! Now one must wonder what a brilliant mind will come up with once tasked with a challenging dare!

[Coyote Poetry]

The USA flag had great value. Few knows the cost of freedom. I liked the strong description in the poetry Williams.
“Claims lost dignity!” Purple Heart exclaims,
“given liberty, democracy takes”
“representation allows inalienable anonymity”
“blind eyes now see …”
proclaims, “stripes of every color, bleed flames.”
I did like the above lines. Powerful and worthwhile thoughts shared. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[William Michael Reeves]

Thank you Cannis Poeticus. Your species of review feeds the inspiration with a bone to gnaw on!
read moreThank you Cannis Poeticus. Your species of review feeds the inspiration with a bone to gnaw on!

Williams

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Williams.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Vivid colors proclaim the past and outline the birth of a nation.

[William Michael Reeves]

Good description, vivid. Thanks

[Betty Hermelee]

Ah, I like this one, especially because you sneak in words form our national anthem... and use colors as they come to life....Blue is the color of freedom, red is color of the wounds that soldiers bared in previous wars.... blood that was shed...we cannot forget that....I like "stripes of every color bleed flames" and let's not forget the great burning torch our our great lady..... love this poem, well done!
Best, B

[William Michael Reeves]

I sang the anthem a few times when I needed a word. Glad you liked it. Jacob mentioned the Statue of Liberty too and she wasn't even on my mind. I was looking for something to melt the colors into a purple heart and seemed natural. Lady Liberty must have subconsciously stuck a flame in my brain. I like it when things go like that. Thanks B.

WM

[Betty Hermelee]

Me too!!! that's the beauty of poetry!
Best, B

[John the Baptist]

"Representation allows inalienable anonymity" means your congressman will treat you like a nobody until he is campaigning for reelection.

[William Michael Reeves]

Excellent interpretation. Almost the antithesis of what I was thinking. I'll share that a little later.

[William Michael Reeves]

My thought was our system allows us to not participate, which most of don’t, and that is an inalienable right. Anonymously let the few represent the many. A double sided coin. Good that we get the choice ... bad that that’s the choice we make.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes it does, Bill.
"wars waged for peace"---Yikes, what a paradox that is!

Free will, we fought for it during that war...now we seem to fighting for it again....
taxes, inflation....
inflation without representation....
i like the use of the colors of the flag and what you did with those metaphorically...

but also the fire that burns like Lady Liberty's torch....and ask, where is liberty going...
Is the country that used to welcome your poor, tired etc.

quite the poem here...
and yes, Aura is inspiring, for sure.
very colorful in her poetry.
j.

[William Michael Reeves]

Time for a third party. The Purple Party. Just need a viable candidate. You busy? Thanks. Letting it go felt pretty good. Like stretching the mind after sitting awhile.