We live in a
world of graphic symbols
That change
minds, inflame passions, alter history’s course
Unleash
emotions of anger, sadness, fear or love
With the
internet and Instagram
The images
spread at hyper speed
Think of the
flag raised on Iwo Jima
The World
War II Times Square kiss
A president’s
infant son saluting his father caisson
World
leaders in height from De Gaulle to Selassie walking behind
United as
one in respect and grief
The Vietnam War Memorial
Flowers, medals, photos at its base
The ground moistened by tears of the viewers of the names
911 planes crashing into the Towers and PentagonThe faces of resolution of the firemen slowly climbing
Buffeted by a stream of strangers flowing down to safety
White seas of ash as the Towers collapsed
Today, an
image of 44 world leaders with interlocking arms
Walking,
determined to fight jihadism and fear in Paris
United as
one, a we are the world image without song
Where was
the “leader” of the free world?
AWOL or MIA
but not there, not at the front, not on the side or not even in the back
The VP or
Secretary of State or Defense instead?
MIA or AWOL
too
The next
hack or tweet or YouTube video will be ISIS fighters
Shooting AKs
into the air holding signs
“U.S. is led
by cowards, weaklings, hiding in the homeland.”
God help us
if they are proven to be right
What about “nous
sommes tous Charlie” does Obama not get?
© January
12, 2015 the Alaskanpoet
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