is impossible!
I can’t count stripes
when the zebras won’t hold still!
The middle finger of God
is mocking me!
If you run away,
I can’t work
for National Geographic
or learn a damn thing
in this life
of purified conscience,
filtered concepts,
and dirty
magazines
As the leopard
can't change its spots
the zebra of which
there are species three
(Burchell's, Mountain and Grévy's)
its stripes also cannot
black-and-white
supposedly
but white on black
front-to-back
in reality
it's cryptic colouration
a synonym
for animal camouflage
for which an entourage
of biologists resound
with unproven hypotheses
(e.g., keeping flies off in summer)
and specious theories abound
‘neath a mighty oak tree,
a squirrel and a raccoon
found a flag and together said,
“This flag belongs to you and me!”
The racoon hugged the stripes,
red and white from tail to toe
“These colors stand for
bravery we ought to show!”
The squirrel draped the stars,
blue and bright across his chest,
proudly he puffed and shouted,
“These stand for freedom at its best!”
Although their steps were silly,
and their hats were leaves,
they carried freedom’s colors
with patriotic hearts on furry sleeves.
People still seek to improve lives,
Proudly wearing red, white, and blue.
They have endured much bitter strife
With opinions of many hues.
Women deserve the right to choose.
People seek lives both rich and rife
With honesty and kind muses,
But they still seek to improve lives.
I'm keeping my Bald Eagle dice
To guard myself against a ruse
And protect myself from snake bites
Hidden beneath red, white, and blue.
Citizens are attached with glue
To the Internet that rises
For new, online interviews.
The youths have sung to such great heights!
Kindness prevails beneath clouds white.
Love all around these states is cool--and
Living united's a delight
With opinions of many hues.
Our faithful oath has been renewed
To build a community high.
Help others who need joyous cues.
Friends in America are kind;
People still seek to improve lives!
five long stripes along
sleek streamlined torpedo shape
~ fish on a mission
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
gracing our waters
wearing your stripes with pride
far from dry grasslands
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
39 Stripes
You have always been here from the beginning
You planted the greatest sacrifice with 39 stripes
When the world was blind
You asked for nothing in return knowing
You washed our sins with your blood
From your painful stripes, came redemption
For you are our deliverance
No one will ever deserve the atonement
Sons and daughter have all fallen short
For the scourging of 39 lashes
Human kind will never be thankful enough
One day, you will return
For a loud trumpet sounds in unimaginable volume
He took the punishment of the whole world
And said, for it is done
Fallow the old wooden cross
Walk the narrow road
Lean into his understanding
And one day, we will all be together
Hidden behind the clouds forever
Beside the white oaks of the king's ferry
the heavenly princess resists control,
swatting sand flies off of her acacia crown
Night eyes will not hide a spotted sun
its oenomel translating
Tira's blessings in thorn mimosas,
vistas of aphotic and alabaster stripes,
fingerprints of virtue and violence;
—
Opposites attract
I can't look away
“By His stripes we are healed”
Like an onion I’m peeled,
revealing layers healed un healed
Lay it at the foot of the cross
For in some way we have all been lost
Can you look upon His face of light
and not cry for the sinless Christ
Depicted on a cross with pierced side
Crown of thorns hurts, He was denied
My beloved Father sent Him to earth
And He is the living word
For which my heart has searched
And know that I am not worth
So thank you for the Son
For forgiveness Oh Holy One
Grandpa Stripes needed attention in the worst way
He came into kindergarten to watch his granddaughter’s play
The children thought he was a magical elf, and begged him to stay
He had the best time he had had since last Saturday
A banner flutters in miniature pride,
stars frozen mid-waltz, stripes folding
like gentle waves—
a tiny chorus of red, white, blue.
I imagine the seam of that paper flag,
its edges serrated like hopeful teeth,
waiting to bite into air,
to sail across neighborhoods on whispered wings.
Each star is a promise—
a small light in a massive sky.
Each stripe, a pulse:
resilience, unity, churned history distilled
into red—blood, courage, sacrifice.
At the bottom: FREEDOM—
a single word anchored in gray,
soft as ash and loud as a marching drum
pressed into one corner,
a vow to endure beyond the moment.
I see letters etched beneath fingers,
penned in midnight lamps—
love letters to mothers and soldiers,
invitations to lonely birthdays,
apologies and confessions sent
with trembling stamps of hope.
On this paper flag, we bind our stories.
It’s less about the pride of nations,
more about the weight of our words
and the silent faith that someone, somewhere,
will hold that flag
and read our hearts.
My mother says
Stretch marks are tiger stripes
Primordial waves
Of growth
And change
I need to be more than human
A primal thing
My development intertwined with the pink lines on my thighs
With claws like daggers, sharp and keen,
the tiger moves a silent machine.
Its strength unmatched, a force of might,
a hunter born in the fading light.
With senses keen, it hears the faintest sound,
a whisper of wind on the parched ground.
A burst of speed, a blur of orange fire,
the tiger strikes, fulfilling its desire.
Wrapped in red, white, and blue, he stands
A steely gaze, with unwavering hands
Greatness awaits, his fervent plea
Making the America dream --to be free!
© daniel miltz
Light Some Stripey Candles
Light some stripey candles,
Brew a chocolate hot.
Dress in a festive sweater,
Sit in a cosy spot.
Watch the fire glowing,
Count gifts around the pine.
Admire the sparking baubles,
Take sips of dark mulled wine.
Put on your favourite carols,
Relax as music flows.
Enjoy the calm warmth spreading,
Forget your daily woes.
Enjoy a sense of drifting,
Eyes closed and thoughts sublime.
Let Christmas weave its magic,
And be your happy time.
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