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Edgar Guest - Fly A Clean Flag
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This I heard the Old Flag say
    As I passed it yesterday:
    "Months ago your friendly hands
    Fastened me on slender strands
    And with patriotic love
    Placed me here to wave above
    You and yours. I heard you say
    On that long departed day:
    `Flag of all that`s true and fine,
    Wave above this house of mine;
    Be the first at break of day
    And the last at night to say
    To the world this word of cheer:
    Loyalty abideth here.`

    "Here on every wind that`s blown,
    O`er your" portal I have flown;
    Rain and snow have battered me,
    Storms at night have tattered me;
    Dust of street and chimney stack
    Day by day have stained me black,
    And I`ve watched you passing there,
    Wondering how much you care.
    Have you noticed that your flag,
    Is to-day a wind-blown rag?
    Has your love so careless grown
    By the long neglect you`ve shown
    That you never raise your eye
    To the symbol that you fly?"

    "Flag, on which no stain has been,
    `Tis my sin that you`re unclean,"
    Then I answered in my shame.
    "On my head must lie the blame.
    Now with patriotic hands
    I release you from your strands,
    And a spotless flag shall fly
    Here to greet each passer-by.
    Nevermore shall Flag of mine
    Be a sad and sorry sign
    Telling all who look above
    I neglect the thing I love.
    But my Flag of faith shall be
    Fit for every eye to see."
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