Tristan Robert Lange

before the door opens

a flag flown

over a door

sends shivers.

an active-duty

service member

steps

out.

those quivers

disappear.

the grief of

perceived loss

of what i once saw

as unity,

now a tragic reminder

of the fear a flag

might or might not

carry.

© 2026 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.

First published on tristanrobertlange.com, August 22, 2026.

Tittu