It's Not Alright with Me!


Our highest court says, "It's O.K.
To protest by the burning
Or grinding up or spitting on
Old Glory."

Now, my yearning is to speak
a piece about that word,
The judges set to be,
And tell 'em loud and proudly that
IT'S NOT ALL RIGHT WITH ME!

IT'S NOT ALL RIGHT!
And I would fight,
As many gallant soldiers,
To never let it touch the ground -
Let alone watch it smolder.

Old Glory is still glorious
When faded, ragged, edges
Show it has flown for freedom
Through the sun or stormy rages.

Maybe it's all right for some who
Have a soul so dead
Their Native Land does not
Affect the heartbeat in their chest.

But, there are crosses on the hill,
From here to Iwo Jima,
Defacing the Star Spangled Banner.
IT'S NOT ALL RIGHT WITH ME!

Say, friend, is it all right with you?
Someone had better care
Or, we'll lose something just as dear
As when we lost school prayer.

At my house, NO! IT'S NOT ALL RIGHT! -
Nor, in my church or school. IT'S NOT ALL RIGHT in Oklahoma,
Where we still observe "flag rules".

Perhaps, our highest, noblest, heads
Need help in their decisions.
Perhaps, we need a new ruling on
The terms of those "old sages".

Perhaps, we need one President
Who stands alone, if need be,
And shouts for all the world to hear,
"IT'S NOT ALL RIGHT WITH ME!'

© by Joan Clifton Costner