Cold, red, and dying blood 

dries straight in lines 

of crimson 

Hot, white, and brutal force

pounds into the space between each stripe 

of scarlet pain 

Wet, blue, and tragic tears 

fall repeatedly in outlines 

of taunting stars 

Our anguish is the flag of our country

Rippling in harsh wind, 

grasping at any thread 

of fought-over freedom.

Before tearing apart completely. 

Written by Alyssa Valdivia

Edited by Marissa Granite and Elisabeth Kay

Graphic by Ryan Langdon