SUNDAY FLAG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUNDAY FLAG

A Sunday Flag at Half-Mast

A Sunday flag at half-mast

The red and white stripes unwind

Forever like a barber pole in a blind

Of branches against the blast

Of solsticial sun that raises autumn’s

Awning of cloud, and wraps a sapphire

Banner round its dying fire.

A circular stair with endless sums

Of steps that stagger up and down

From rooms without light or air

To a bed where a man whose only care

Was broken from him, lies; and the sound

Of that care crying will not sleep

But wails, all waking to reap.