A BASEBALL GAME AT OVERPECK COUNTY PARK
A high-school student bellows
the National Anthem off key.
With their hands on their hearts,
parents and grandparents
rise to stand at attention.
I stroll by and imagine
these ordinary folks are filled
with nationalistic patriotism
and could be just a well
giving the Heil Hitler salute
if they had been so persuaded.
Like Colin Kapernick taking a knee,
I refuse to bow down to false idols
on stolen land.
They must be in awe of President Trump
who reports America is locked and loaded.
When I was a rifleman in the Korean War,
the only order that came after being
locked and loaded was: FIRE!