I sat in the patio of a shitty car wash today smoking my vape and contemplating how and in what ways I would get my base tan for summer. In Huntington Beach you have to start early. And carefully. I've blistered, boiled and achieved the perfect tan. It's like having a second job really. I had been feeling troubled though couldn't name a reason, while waiting for my car to be washed. A giant ford long bed truck roared through the intersection in front of the car wash. Tied to the tail gate was a pole waiving a large American flag. Billowing magnificently. Defiantly even. I frowned. At the proudness of the Flag, it's haughty demeanor, it's display. I suddenly realized why. The weekend before on my own state beach a trump rally was held with seething nationalists spewing hatred and telling fellow Americans to 'GO HOME, BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM!' You mean down the street? They wore flag bandanas over their mouths and carried the flags like a badge of white honor. It made me sick to watch the footage. Immigrants settled this country. Immigrants built it. Immigrants tilled the soil, called it America and when they gave birth on this soil they gave birth to Americans. We have seemed to have forgotten this. The flag sewn by an American, born from an immigrant. My flag didn't stand for good, for hope for love or equality or even freedom. My flag has begun to stand for hate, indifference and self righteous selfishness. For destruction of a nation so beautifully rich in resources and culture. Wonderful amazing people. I could feel my arm getting hot in the spring sun and noticeable tanning on my arms. And then frowned again. As I sat in contemplation about my country and my flag. @ellowrites @ellopoetry #writing #words
