A condescending narcissist with radical ideals,

is detested by everyone in school.

Everyone recites the pledge,

Hands laid reverently across hearts.

But he sits before the flag, hands down.

He states it is well within his rights.

Though he is not wrong,

He is shunned by others.

“Stop being disrespectful” they cry.

Noses wrinkling,

Lips curled in disgust.

One day, 

social climate takes a curve;

patriotism is now a sin.

The news rattles with images of protest and violence. 

The masses now refuse to recite the pledge;

Though they condemned him in the past.

The self-proclaimed activists complain,

That there is no justice in our country.

Though they may sound righteous,

They are nothing if not disingenuous.

Just weeks ago,

Thanksgiving turkey steaming on the table, 

they babbled about their priviledge

to live in this golden country.

The charlatans claim that it is disrespectful

For the narcissist to sit with them during the pledge.

But how much more disrespectful could you be,

When you sit just for the sake of social validation?

What do they know of the tear gas,

The rubber bullets,

The milk flowing into stinging eyes?

What do they know of the fight for justice?

What do they know of the fight to be seen?

So in the end,

Who’s stance is more flimsy?

The narcissist who intentionally needlessly flaunts,

Or the charlatan who feigns for the attention of others?