purple

watching every star spangle sadly

in the harsh flames of hunger

the settling of that sour smog

unveiled a pitiful puddle

of plastic purple

every engine sputters

over to the roadside

in celebration of national collapse

the maelstrom of eminent change

shredded up the market tarp

and rained on ruptured roofs

of banks and dwelling spots

but who can distinguish 

diluted blood from dirty ink

when gushing down the gutter 

they tried to sell that as gasoline

but it burned up all the quicker

when they poured it on the flag

and only made our mother sicker

you probably bought the gas

but never asked about the catch