A Flag Among the Rubble

A flag flies tall among the rubble
Placed even in times of great trouble

When skies grow dark or a town destroyed
Both the Red Cross and others deployed

Stories of death and rescue side by side
Both tears of joy and anguish we cried

It makes us all stop and realize
From the lost hurting look in strangers eyes

We need to give thanks for the simple things
Like the peace that routine daily life brings

And never miss the chance to smile and say
I love you to each other as we start our day

For it's not until it's all taken away
We take that moment to stop and pray

So God, thank you now for today and tomorrow
For happy times and help us through our sorrows

May a flag always fly tall among the rubble
As before, now and always through our trouble

©Donna Jones
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Beaufort Avatar
February 2, 2013 at 4:06 PM
Life is indeed a mixed blessing. You make that point here. Thanks for this piece of work. I guess without sorrow, there can be no appreciation for happiness. I do prefer the latter. The former is part of existence. Society seems sometime to make it worse.
Jones Avatar
February 2, 2013 at 5:06 PM
Yes you never hear much about the good but it is out there. Seems people crave to hear the bad maybe so they know its not just them I don't know, but thanks for reading my poem
Jerden Avatar
February 2, 2013 at 8:55 AM
I like it Donna. My only suggestion might be to build up to the thought in the first couplet rather than stating it up front. It makes a more powerful poem, I think. If you do this, you might also want to consider changing the title to something more cryptic in order not to give it away before you reveal it at the end. Cheers, Roy
Jerden Avatar
February 2, 2013 at 3:06 PM
Donna, what I was referring to before is that a good poem should be somewhat seductive. Just like telling a joke, you don't give away the punch line up front. You want a bit of mystery to tease the reader into reading more. Then hit them with your best shot when you have them roped in. Your imagery is awesome, BTW.
Jones Avatar
February 2, 2013 at 1:32 PM
Well thanks for all the suggestions. I had to get a dictionary to look up some of he words, haha. No really I do need to take a writing course or something I guess because all I know to do is write down exactly what I feel just like I talk which gets me in trouble too. I take your help with open arms and will try. Please keep helping.
Ellison Avatar
February 1, 2013 at 3:34 PM
Absolutely brilliant writing dear Donna! I guess by now, with all the positive feedback you've been getting, you now know you CAN WRITE POETRY! You're a keeper... love and big hugs, Jack xox
Jones Avatar
February 1, 2013 at 4:03 PM
Well Jack if you say so...I simply feel I am ripping pages out of a diary I have kept locked away, writing in when I feel blue. I so appreciate all the kindness shown here and now realize I'm not alone in my way of things.
Ryerson Avatar
February 1, 2013 at 1:07 PM
Donna...I absolutely love this!...'A flag flying in the rubble'...awesome!... So very thankful and blessed to have discovered your poems via your kind comments... by the way, this poem is called a 'couplet'...and a darn good one too...perfect rhyme throughout...welcome! - Tim
Jones Avatar
February 1, 2013 at 4:07 PM
Thank you for your kind words and for telling me what this is called. I am very new to poetry. I look forward to many more visits
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