Palatka

In good will gesture crowds color-coded
words stand on tiptoe to shout,
necks crane sore to watch people not like them beaten,
attacked, and crushed beneath;
flag-waving arms that learn to hit flag-burning
infidels glistening with spit;
flag-waving arms stretched upwards
in support of white-minded individuals
working to curb freedoms once fought
for by peole in picket lines, by people
on busrides, by people behind bedroom doors,
by people in abortion clinics