My Country

My Country

my soul is the flag

that flies outside my window

softly whirling

weightless...

awaiting the slightest breeze

to excite its stars and stripes

glorious unfurling

fearless, its

fluttering

you are my love...my country

the colors which adorn me

excite me with your slightest whisper

in heat of day

or cool of night

whip me with gale-borne glee

lift me, whilst I, languid, loll

make real my specious

sputtering

from far away your soul-breeze blows

across mesas russet vistas

traverse the plains

make waves of golden grain

the mighty Mississippi ripples

at your touch

but not nearly so much

as I, awaiting here

my love, in silence,

uttering

at times, the air is still

when with me you cannot be

the slightest luff of love

from you to me

waiting to be felt

then, other days you wage

your love-soaked rage

upon my dreams and flesh

how glorious my spill

my sweet, sensate

shuddering

I wonder of you

heated-soaked days

and star-kissed nights

my gaze an arrow

arcs through space

seeking yours seeking mine

are you lonely – am I missed

in your dreams, are my soft lips kissed

pray, Love, send your breeze

to fuel my, felicitous

fluttering

Comments: 11

Diane Huizenga Aug 7, 2012, 9:01am UTC

I love my country too, although sometimes I don't like it.

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Barbara H. Aug 7, 2012, 9:20am UTC

Passion remains deep for the loves we keep in our heart of hearts...always hoping the object of that love will stay whether country or lover or soul deep friend..I can envision the flag lifting in the refreshing breeze, pleasing your sight..and lifting your heart..

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Ann Marcaida Aug 7, 2012, 2:17pm UTC

Niiiice work with the flag metaphor, Steve. I like the way the poems surveys the country and also speaks of "star-kissed" nights. I have only one small critique-- it seems that the flag out side the window should be a bit closer, perhaps hanging over the narrator's bed (it's clearly in his heart).

Thanks for sharing with Gather's Luminous Writers and Artists Featured.

stephen berwaldt Aug 7, 2012, 7:04pm UTC

I'd love to wrap myself in it. Thank you for your intuitive comment and feature.
Much appreciated.

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ʚϊɞ Carol ʚϊɞ Aug 7, 2012, 2:20pm UTC

Amazing how you can envelope patriotism with passion without the slightest hesitation.

Featured at The Surreal Circus.

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Darin Waugh Aug 7, 2012, 4:03pm UTC

Nice!

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Alice G. Aug 7, 2012, 5:34pm UTC

True patriotism is a passion of the soul not a blight on it.

Beautifully written, dual layered poem Stephen.

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elizabeth evans Aug 7, 2012, 6:58pm UTC

I'm sure you and Pete Seeger would have gotten along just fine. He, too, saw the beauty of this country.

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Marilyn (PaintsOnSlate) S. Aug 7, 2012, 7:56pm UTC

You amaze me with how you do that - start with the flag and end in bed. It looks good on you.

Connie C. Aug 8, 2012, 3:22am UTC

LOL

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My Country

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Comments: 11

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