"EVERYTHING"
by Mason Rodrigue
I was looking for furniture at an antique store
a desk, for to write
a bookshelf, to finally begin my library.
Settling in,
new life as a veteran.
In the back of the shop it sat
An "antique" that
Should've never been for sale
in the first place
Should've been in some
Honored Place
Dark beautiful wooden frame
Glass case
Triangular folded flag
Tears almost
wet my face.
Blue as deep as the ocean
Stars as white as snow
I wonder who you were
before you had to go,
and why you were here for sale
This, I had to know.
"Estate sale" she said
She sighed "Such a shame"
This flag is for one of my brothers
Dead
and I don't know his name.
Whether you died at war,
or at home as a gray old man
Your family seems to have forgotten you,
I just don't understand.
I asked what she wanted for you,
she said sixty, I said sold.
Every flag is a brother to me,
with a story that should've been told
a pride that should shine like gold
a Memorial that we hold.
So now at home, you sit with me
I'll keep you in my family
I hope one day my grandsons ask
What it means to me
and I will tell them
Everything
Follow Mason Rodrigue here. Support him here. Hear our interview with him here.
Learn more about Veterans Repertory Theater here.