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