Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PATRIOTISM, by RAYMOND JOSEPH KRESENSKY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PATRIOTISM, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: It's all you need to do
Last Line: That's patriotism.
Subject(s): National Characteristics - American; Patriotism; War


RAYMOND KRESENSKY

It's all you need to do
Is take off your hat when the flag goes by—
Just take off your hat when the flag goes by.
If it's a stiff hat lay it gracefully across your chest
And look earnest, and look sincere.

It's all you need to do
Is to wave your handkerchief and shout
When a general of the army passes by.
And it's all you need to do is put out a flag.
It's all you need to do
Is take off your hat when the flag goes by.

And fly a flag. Hurrah! Hurrah!
That's patriotism.
And see that everyone else, yes, everyone else
Does just what you do
Or else he's not patriotic.

If you don't vote, no one cares.
If you've never read the Constitution, no one cares.
If you bootleg, no one cares.
If you deprive others of that so-called life and liberty
Nobody cares at all.
All you need to do is take off your hat when the flag goes by.

Push your propaganda for war
When you're a manufacturer of dynamite and poison gas,
Corned beef and paper shoes.
Forget the soldiers of other wars
And steal their pensions. Forget them.

But for the sake of your country
Take off your hat when the flag goes by,
Take off your hat when the flag goes by.
That's patriotism.





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