By Martin K. N. Kollie, Columnist
Waving high above Africa was this flag I know
A flag of symbolic pride
The cradle of hope and heroism
A valuable treasury of common purpose
An impetus of valor
The only flag Africa and Africans knew
It was indeed a continental insignia
Is This The Flag I Know?
As this flag flew high above Africa
The promise of independence was echoed
It inspired the budding spirit of brotherhood
No one could resist its captivating fragrant
Deep in it was a bond of common vision
An aspiration for a New Dawn
What an evoking emblem of resilience it was
Is This The Flag I Know?
Shinning so bright was a glowing Star
The Lone Star of Liberia
Its beaming radiance infused life into Africa
Hence, this Dark Continent came alive
This Rising Star gave Africa a new meaning
A sense of self-determination and self-worth
A sense of belonging and perseverance
No Star could have even done this
Only The Lone Star could stand up and shine
Even colonialism couldn’t stop its piercing force
Its brightness defied imperialism
By becoming a spring of enthusiasm
And a castle of dynamism
This White Star was an ensign of purity
It was a fountain of pan-Africanism
From it, morality rolled like a waterfall
Rising from the plain of the West Coast
There came this GREAT SYMBOL
A bequest of gallantry and bravery
An enviable legacy of Africa’s first Republic
A Republic once seen as THE LONE HOPE
And an epitome of justice and equality
Not bowing down to fear, this symbol rose
Is This The Flag I Know?
Amidst daunting challenges, a new nation was born
Out of this nation’s birth, Africa was inspired
The chorus for independence became so loud
Self-autonomy was a fulcrum of this melody
Nothing could prevent this mass revolution
Pan-Africanism became a bonding catalyst
Africa and Africans owe it to this FLAG
This red, white and blue flag have done so much
This flag bears an emblem of nationhood
It carries within it a fresh memory of sovereignty
In its colors, we renew our allegiance
Firmly holding unto those values of liberty
And vowing to protect a nation of indivisibility
This flag shall forever reign in stardom
What a venerable symbol to hold so dearly
It represents a small nation with rich history
Africa knows this flag
The World is a witness to its evolution
This ‘Lone Star’ will shine
Over all else, it shall prevail
This flag shall make us proud again
And Liberia will rise forever
All hail Liberia – All hail…
Is This The Flag I Know?
In memory of this heritage
Deeply engraved in freedom
We must salute this FLAG with humility
Reaffirming our utmost pledge and loyalty
Bequeathed by this unmatched inheritance
We must pride ourselves with this NATIONAL SYMBOL
It is your flag – it is my flag – it is Africa’s flag
The homage it deserves must transcend ethnicity
The design of this ensign has no link to disunity
Its true essence forbids religious intolerance
It is a replica of patriotism, solidarity and diversity
In abiding love, this flag is our collective image
Under it, we seek self-confidence, assurance and harmony
This symbol is a canopy of our collective destiny
Idolizing its iconic features is an imperative
Is This The Flag I Know?
Is This The Flag You Know?
Today is August 24 – a public holiday
O! Let us host this flag with audacity and delight
Why aren’t you hosting yours?
Why aren’t you resounding “I Pledge”?
Has this vow lost its essence or purpose?
Is this holiday losing momentum?
Why isn’t our flag flying on a lot of homes?
Where have you placed this national emblem?
Is it in your heart or in hiding?
Are you still proud of this flag?
Where is Susannah Lewis’ flag?
Where is Africa’s first flag?
Is it still THE FIRST FLAG after 171 years?
Even Liberians seem to be losing faith in this flag
I am weeping for my flag – Only resilience is holding me up
The flag of our forebear is not revered like before
Its value and significance are being diminished
Did school-going kids parade today?
Are rural communities celebrating this day?
As our collective PRIDE gradually erodes
Almost everyone seems too busy to recite “I Pledge”
Increasing hardship can account for this complacency
Illiteracy and inequality remain harsh realities
But blame this on leadership deficit
Blame it also on injustice and impunity
History may not forgive our generation so easily
Our flag deserves better than this
It abhors dishonor and disloyalty
We cannot forsake our flag
For it is our NATIONAL PRIDE
The least we can do is to salute it and recite “I Pledge”
Amidst rising displeasure, The Lone Star must shine
We must make it shine in unison and fraternal love
By abandoning this cherished idea of our founding fathers
We shall remain guilty to our conscience, country and history
We will also be discrediting those 7 women who made our flag
It is time to use those 11 stripes to heal our wounds
We must use them to end corruption and internal bitterness
We must use them to make our people smile again
Is This The Flag I Know?
A symbol once loved, revered and cherished
This flag must take its rightful position in Africa
The red, white and blue flag must fly sky-high
Patriotism is what matters
Good governance is indispensable in this pursuit
Let us now stand and wave our flag
With it, we shall rise together as a nation and people
Is This The Flag I Know?
The flag I know is a flag of honor and veneration
Is This The Flag I Know?
The flag I know is a flag that promotes genuine peace
Is This The Flag I Know?
The flag I know is a flag that unites for prosperity
Is This The Flag I Know?
The flag I know frowns on injustice and impunity
Is This The Flag I Know?
Yes, it is this flag I know –THE LIBERIAN FLAG.
With standing ovation, I wish all peace-loving Liberians a Happy Flag Day. May this Flay Day unite us for a BETTER and PROSPEROUS LIBERIA.
About The Author: Martin K. N. Kollie is a youth and student activist who hails from Bong County. He currently studies Economics at the University of Liberia. He can be reached via: martinkerkula1989@yahoo.com
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