god's light

I never found out why
my uncle had a pride flag
in his childhood bedroom

in our small mountain town
he married a kind woman
later in life than we expected

my papaw, his dad, was a Baptist
perhaps the flag was simply
the full spectrum of god's light

and I always wanted to ask
but I might not get the chance
after what he said to my mother

I dont know what she said
but I know how she can push
past someone's breaking point

and I fear my breaking point
might be closer to his than I'd like

last I checked
his stuff was still there
and the flag was gone