The Hijacked Flag

They hoist me up
on a pole
an act of patriotism
or oppressive control?
They paint me on roundabouts
to be driven over by
a white van man.
An act of patriotism
or the tantrum of a child
hurling toys from a pram?
They spray me crude
on flyovers and walls
red drips running
like bloodshed
from colonial wars
Tell me how?
How can society stay complicit
while the sword of Saint George
is swung by
the semi-literate?

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Comments
As you may know dear Syd, I no longer live in my home town of London, it's been many years now, I did go home recently but stayed on the tourist side which is very different from living it, as a child I was right in the middle of the Brixton riots and the poll tax riots, I could look at patriotism only with the best of intentions as I love my home and I love England, but I see on the British news channels on a daily basis this argument about the British flag being hoist in places that it's not welcome, I can also say that here in Italy it is a charming sight when the Italian flag flies on the road poles or indeed from people's homes, we don't blink about it here because it's something that's always been and the tourists love it too. What England is facing right now is a bigger than big problem, mainly with unwanted migrants for many reasons, I stayed in Bayswater and I did see a bit of crime that I'd never seen before mainly open shop lifting, which I'd never seen in my life. I would love to say if I lived in London if I wanted to fly my home flag I should be able but it's a very complex country and personally as much as I love to see the union jack I also am incredibly proud of the rich multi culture used to have before Brexit. Your poem is incredibly powerful and is a most important subject at this time. Best wishes my friend. 🌹
Thank you for the your in-depth comment Shirley, really appreciated. I have no issue with the saint George flag at all...my issue is with it being hijacked by the right wing knuckle draggers.
It makes the rest of us normal folk not want to fly the flag for fear of being grouped in with the Enoch Powell worshipping, thick as shit, semi-literate morons who are so wrapped up in this latest Internet craze.
I'm afraid the word 'patriotism' doesn't even mean real patriotism any more as that's been hijacked too. I'm not in favour of an open door policy regarding migrants either, but again, this is another issue being used to brainwash people.
I hope you're keeping well. Stay safe my friend. I hope life is good in Italy.
- Syd
dear Syd we are totally on the same page, I wish things were different and I too think brain washing on the internet and media is quite terrifying, especially when those who are in the TV industry and have a voice yet don't use it for good. 😢 Take care my friend like I say a brilliant post because it gets us all talking. X
Likewise Shirley x