The Stars and Stripes is Free

The Stars and Stripes is free.I grab one to readwhile I eat my eggs.They’re okay but thebacon’s not quite right. A girl’s face filled with glee.The photo on thispage is black and white.Her mom says this isa party for her. She is about to see.The next picture showstears where the smiles were.I stop chewing mybreakfast and lean back. She fights to break free.Her mother holds herdown inside some shack.The other womandives in with a knife. Why won’t they let her be?Why are the black robesthreatening her life?The Kurd women cutoff some private skin. I sip my hot coffee.The Kurds are my teamin this war I’m in.I see my own girlgetting blood, not cake. It’s hard for me to see.A lie so awfulit makes my heart break.To see daughters bleedwhile I eat my eggs.