Red, White and Blue
flags raise to the heavens.
They swish and soar as blue sky,
rosy petals and white clouds
serve as festive echoes.
Cherry blossoms are
a day past peak bloom.
Once bud, now pink snow,
they drift like confetti in the wind.
Joyful rally participants
hoist posters aloft
held on dowels, in hands
and taped to the fronts
of mobility scooters.
The posters that wave above heads
are colorful in words and in craft.
They announce their purpose:
Peace, Democracy, Freedom.
Signs proclaim positivity:
"We love America!"
"Kindness!"
"No War!"
"No Kings! Yes Love!"
"Sanity must prevail!"
"Let's stop the cruelty!"
"Democracy dies
when people stay silent!"
Some opt for witty zingers:
"Science keeps
your dumb ass alive!"
And "Peacefully Pissed!"
Down the way, a man
in a striped robe and beard
clutches a sign that says:
"The dude does not abide!
This aggression must not stand!"
Someone dressed like
our current leader
dons a crown and a comb-over,
black Florsheim dress shoes,
and a gaudy pinstripe suit.
This impersonator
dances awkwardly, lazily
— all fists and elbows —
on the street median.
Across the way
a princess twirls and
sparkles, blue and silver,
in a hoop-fluffed ball gown.
She carries a board that says:
"Immigrants are:
Friends
Neighbors
Economic Contributors
HUMAN BEINGS!"
A DJ spins
rallying tunes
under purpley-white
magnolias:
Born in the U.S.A.
Get up, Stand up.
This is America.
Freedom!
Protest,
but make it party.
Passing cars honk
and throw peace signs
from their car sunroofs.
In turn, the crowd cheers.
Pedestrians wave earnestly
at drivers and their companions.
Kids in car seats
seem genuinely excited.
The throng hoots
and fist pumps in union
as a friendly truck horn blares:
Ooo ooo oooo!
Sure, it's not all perfect.
There are occasional grimaces
or a prominent single finger
that springs forth from a car window.
In these quick flares of anger,
gathered masses smile back
while some exclaim:
"We love you!"
And it's the truth.
They love us.
Because we are all
inherently worthy of love.
We love America.
We love our neighbors.
We love our rights.
We love our country.
Welcome love
back to the table.
Come, dance in the sun.
Revelers are waiting for you.
