I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,

and to the republic for which it stands,

one nation under God, indivisible,

with liberty and justice for all.

 

It was an extremely important occasion,

all the officials from every level of government were

packed tightly together,

kissing each other’s sweat glistened bodies.

Listening to the imperial edict; stamped, pressed and approved,

by their own pontifical pleas.

 

They say ignorance is bliss,

and today that may have been the case,

if not for the golden idol that stood blatantly

before them-

A sign of rebellion against a heavenly scheme.

 

Stiff and rigid the old man stood before the huddled mass,

“When the trumpet is sounded, every

person must fall prostrate before the golden idol.”[i]

 

A few wary souls shuffled uncomfortably,

rubbing against their neighbours

taut patience, muttering indiscernible

threats.

 

Yet, there was no cry for mercy,

or even vengeance,

instead there was a wary acceptance;

Tired and drained he reared his head

for this was not the defeated Dragon who had crumbled before the Philistines;

It was neither the menacing Marduk;

Or the mysterious Ahura-Mazda.

 

It was not an invitation to worship

a symbol of recognized divinity;

It was a call to unhindered patriotism;

For allegiance to a state.

 

It had no name

and claimed no portion of heaven or earth

as its jurisdiction,

because it was not responsible for warfare,

famine, rain, or vegetation.

This was no ordinary idol,

it represented something greater than itself;

a unity that defied the past, the present and the future.

It encouraged assimilation,

and granted peace.

 

Under its sacred head no man, woman or child

shall be harmed,

because it was faith, hope and a little bit of

fairy dust.

[i] Daniel 1:3-5

 

                                                                             

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