My flag has no edge or borders;
it doesn’t make me stand up and salute,
it doesn’t give me orders.

My flag is the colour of a bloodstain,
some lost in battle, some still in vain.

My flag is not a football slogan,
nor a reason to learn to hate.
My flag is the difference in humanity,
something to celebrate.

My flag is for my children and for your children too.
My flag is for the many, not for the privileged few.

My flag is not owned by kings or queens,
or by the nation state.
My flag says, break these mental chains; my flag says,
liberate.

My flag has no spread eagle, yellow star, or rising sun.
My flag is an open heart — there’s room for everyone.

My flag is not on the side of a bank or on the dollar bill.
My flag has never declared war; my flag doesn’t know
how to kill.

My flag is not made of gold or diamonds, nor does it
smell of oil.

My flag waves in the streets below, in the hands
of struggle and toil.

My flag is not the history of rulers past;
it’s the history we’ve yet to write.
My flag is not here to add to the darkness;
my flag is here to bring you the light.

My flag is my mother’s tongue,
although she’s not here to see.
My flag is not here to keep you out —
my flag is here to set you free!

Manjit Sahota 2018

Poets Against Racism