AS THE FLAG UNFURLS*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
the flag unfurls,
its colors bold against the waking sky—
each star, each stripe a testament
to pride, honor, and patriotism.
pride, not a shield, is a bridge,
linking the stories of brave soldiers,
those who once fought in battlefields,
their shadows etched in the soil,
their courage a whisper in the rustling leaves.
honor is a compass, etched in the hearts of the brave,
guiding us through the tempests of division,
reminding us that beneath our skin,
we share the same pulse, the same yearning
for respect, freedom and belonging,
patriotism is a flame, flickering not in blind allegiance,
but in the radiant glow of courage
stoking the embers of hope,
lifting up each other,
an unwavering belief that together we are stronger.
pride, honor, and patriotism intertwine,
not as chains that bind us,
but as roots that anchor us deep,
in the fertile earth of understanding,
where we rise together like the dawn.
*Note: Poem originally published at Writer Monk, August 1, 2025. This is my original poem.
Categories:
unfurls, 12th grade, patriotic,
Form: Free verse
Her poems are simple, their rhythm is grand,
out of bland ordinary they all stand.
Dexterous in neat word art,
her muse unfurls buds of heart,
flowers bloom in verses of Heidi Sands.
___________________
April 6, 2022
Syllable count : 10/10/7/7/10 (HMS)
Rhyme checked on rhymezone.com
Contest : Paean On Poets
Sponsored by : Margarita Lillico
Categories:
unfurls, analogy, appreciation, poetess,
Form: Limerick
Winds whirl
Leaves swirl
Crisp twirls
Fall's pearls
Categories:
unfurls, autumn, moving on, wind,
Form: Footle
I remember the good old days of what now seems so long ago
The year was twenty nineteen. What parties we used to throw
Family and friends gathered for weddings and festive holidays
Smiles were seen before flashes of illness and dissension blazed
Parents went off to work; their children educated at school
Life was much easier then; and people didn't seem so cruel
We laughed and joked at neighborhood restaurants and bars
Hope in the future was bright, and shinier seemed the stars
It was a time when we took for granted, many simple things
When never would we have imagined the wrath of viral stings
Nor how much we would sadly miss the nearness of others
the signs of affection we'd still give, if we had our druthers.
There is one special memory from those "The Good Old Days"
that will never be forgotten in the grateful voice I lovingly raise
The blessed news of a new family member; a healthy baby girl
I pray her future will be worry free, as I watch her life unfurl
January 13, 2021
The Good Old Days Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Mystic Rose Rose
Categories:
unfurls, baby, hope, how i
Form: Rhyme
Faint drums in distances rolling
brave tales before us unfolding.
Over proud battle cries it will fly
saving grand dreams that shall not die.
Bloody sands seen at Normandy
attests mankind's will to be free.
The daring who marched as one
arm in arm till the war was won!
From space we see a tiny blue ball
seems not so important after all.
Stare straight into adversity -
hard fought pride and diversity.
Bursting towns, shoveled ditches,
Dust Bowl plains that yield us riches.
Our views changed on world order
as more humans cross our border.
Those wise fathers of our founding
the din of principle keeps pounding.
More hopes today than ever before
opportunity stands at our door.
Purring drums on a sultry eve
a new dawn in which to believe.
We shall solve the world's perils
as our famous flag now unfurls!
Categories:
unfurls, dream, eve, father, flying,
Form: Couplet
A rosebud unfurls
Attracting pollinators
Bees and hummingbirds
Date written and posted: 07/12/2018
Categories:
unfurls, flower, nature, rose,
Form: Haiku
See all of the buds upon the trees
watch closely as slowly one unfurls
each tiny weeny leaf stretching out
one by one peeling away from the buds
Turning their faces up to the sun
some sticky buds much longer taking
all sorts of shapes and different sizes
as they grow and cast their dappled shade
On the tender plants hiding below
shade lovers of stunning colours
scarlet red Hostas amidst bluebells
the trumpets waving on their long stems
All the sun lovers blooms open wide
drinking in the heat beaming down
tulips bright with merry stripes
all the colours of the rainbow
Swaying gentle in noon heat
tall hollyhocks stately bend
the early promise of a rose
scents abound flooding senses
So easy to lay back and drift off
sun shining down heats the skin
bees droning gathering nectar
such an idyllic place to rest awhile
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Categories:
unfurls, imagination, inspiration, nature, spring,
Form: Imagism
Just as each tender petal
Of the prettiest rose unfurls
Its fragrant silken form
I hold in my mind
A memory or thought
Of each tender moment
I have graciously shared with you
Just as each tender petal
Of the prettiest rose unfurls
Releasing its natural beauty
To an awe-inspired world
I hold in my heart
A love that grows evermore deeply
Despite thinking I’ve given my all
Just as each tender petal
Of the prettiest rose unfurls
Till it blooms in radiant glory
I give you everything I am
Protect you and cherish you
Knowing I am the luckiest
Most blessed person in the world
Just as each tender petal
Of the prettiest rose unfurls
After which blooms wither and fall away
I remember how much you
Need to know daily you’re cherished
By someone who loves you more
Than words can ever express
You are as each tender petal
Of the prettiest rose unfurls
My love my life my future
Categories:
unfurls, caregiving, dedication, devotion, happiness,
Form: Free verse