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
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Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: August 22nd, 2026 09:43
- Comment from author about the poem: Part of the Truth, Applied collection.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 17
- Users favorite of this poem: Syd, Teddy.15
- In collections: Truth, Applied.
Offline)
Comments8
That's definitely a thought. Thank you for enlightening me.
You’re welcome, Missy. It’s amazing how symbols can take on different meanings depending on the context. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider it. 🇺🇸🚪🫨🙏
My pleasure, you're more than welcome.
Hi Tristan, I can relate to this piece. In England our flag has, in a way, been hijacked to also mean something other than patriotism and unity. I realise that in your poem the national flag belongs to a serviceman and that removes the initial unease, but should this have to be the case? I think national flags should belong to all. A very clever and thought provoking write. Please tell me if my interpretation is off though, I'm only human.
Syd 🍄
You’ve understood it very well, Syd. The servicemember changed my immediate perception, although I cannot know whether that change was warranted. I knew nothing about them or the meaning they attached to the flag. That unresolved uncertainty is central to the poem...a symbol intended for everyone now leaves many of us wondering who “all” includes...or, more aptly, excludes. 🇺🇸🇬🇧🚪🫨🙏
a fine provoking write my friend, I echo the previous comments in the Uk it has been highjacked
Thank you, Norman. Hearing both you and Syd describe the same thing happening in the UK is deeply troubling. These symbols are supposed to express shared belonging, yet people worldwide are increasingly left questioning whom that belonging includes. 🇺🇸🇬🇧🚪🫨🙏
most welcome friend
This is so powerful and represents many countries flags in this moment of our lives, sad to say. 🌹
Thank you, Teddy. Coming from a Londoner living in Florence, that says a great deal about how widely this is being felt. It is terribly sad that symbols intended to unite entire nations now leave so many people questioning whether they are included. 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇮🇹🚪🫨🙏
Yes, I am most ashamed of the British flag because I\'m British and Brexit hurt, however being here in Italy most things are driven by Trump in Europe right now and 10 years ago and probably for many years before he even became the worst president of history 💔 ps your title is magnificent, I've been to the USA and I truly admired the patriotism that I saw until now.
A powerful image and statement Tristan. The flag a symbol or a nation and people and one of pride whether in life or death. Well written.
Thank you, Soren. The flag should belong equally to the whole nation and every person within it. That is why it grieves me that its presence can now create apprehension before it creates unity. Much appreciated, my friend. 🇺🇸🚪🫨🙏
You are most welcome my friend.
Good write T.
I'm a barrel of laughs, very optimistic and cheerful, saying stuff like: 'Don't worry, when one door opens, another one slams in your face!' heehee. Aww, they don't appreciate how helpful I am. lol.
It would seem that a flag would immediately bear two meanings to any citizen, a personal one and a national one that is shared in common. But these also can be fractured and refracted depending on personal experiences and national tumult like say 1861-1865, 1963, 1981 so on and so forth.
Only goes to show what a load of shite patriotism is in any context.
Robbery of symbols for different purposes: example from Oz - the Eureka flag. Symbol of a historical resistance (see ‘Eureka Stockade’) has now been taken up by right wing anti-immigration groups.
A write which captures your concern, though Tristan.
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