What is the National Anthem? 

 

a) the song / that binds / and stitches / gaping wounds / two sides / sewn back / together / on Super Bowl Sunday / or a high school homecoming / the tuba players / the solo soprano / the audience / that stands / hand over heart / listening / the song that sustains / and softens

 

b) hesitating / keys in the ignition / halfway turning / the gas money / dwindling / the prices / rising / smoke / lingering / in the air / frost / pipes rusting over / it will be a hard winter / mother sighs / bundle up / you notice / your bare toe / peeking out / from the black sock

 

c) bang / chanting / no justice / no peace / bang / “there are riots” / says the news / bang / insurrection / the glass storefronts in Georgetown boarded up / bang / Parkland / nail salons / gay bars / bang / say their names / George / Breonna / Ahmaud / Tamir / bang

 

d) my grandmother / cooking / in the kitchen / today / every day / there is soup / chicken / simmering / there on the stove / here is a bowl / take a spoonful / smell / garlic / rising / potatoes / thick / warming  / onion / down the throat / eat more / there is plenty / to share