By John Snider

sniderrex68@gmail.com

Hymn to the Fallen (for David)

Damn our flag

Our stinking pride

God was never on our side

Never, peace  democracy

Just discarded amputees

Empty trouser legs and sleeves

and Gold-Star mothers left to grieve

Draped–the boxes of the dead

Dishonored shrouds blue, white, and red

While our lying unctious praise

Brays above the fallen’s graves

Dante needs a hotter ring

Our wretched souls there gathering

and with our last rancid breaths

Embrace our God and lover–death