“So we raise her up every morning
And we bring her down slow every night,
We don't let her touch the ground,
And we fold her up right.
On second thought
I do like to brag.
Cause I'm mighty proud of
That Ragged Old Flag.”

“One of our mules died today. …[W]e rigged up a block and tackle with a sling around her middle and tried to hoist her up to a standing position but her legs were too weak to hold her up. Then Father said we may as well give up because he noticed that part of her insides was protruding from her rear end. He said that when this happens there is no hope… So we lowered her back to the ground and let her die in peace, which she did in a few hours.”

“Her old man, he don't like blacks or queers
Yet he's proud we beat the Nazis
How queer…”

“Don't say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream.”

“That night I lay in bed, remembering the moment when her hand touched mine. I wondered what it would be like to have her touch me not by accident, to maybe have her let me touch her.”

“I'm in Bolton, so I won't have to give me mum three rings to let her know I'm home safe. Do you do that? Give her three rings and after the second ring she picks it up. What's the point of that?”

“And we danced all night to a soul fairy band.
And she kissed me just right like only a lonely angel can.
She felt just right just like as sweet as a spirit in the night.
In the night baby don't know what she do to you?
Spirits in the night, in the night.
Stand up now and let her shoot right through you.”

“Let me tell you 'bout a girl I know
I met her walkin' down a uptown street
She's so fine you know I wished she was mine
I get shook up every time we meet”

“and all I could think was that I would like to spend every morning for the rest of my life waking up beside her”

“Rally round the flag, boys—
Give it to the breeze!
That's the banner that we bore
On the land and seas.
Brave hearts are under it,
Let the traitors brag,
Gallant lads, fire away!
And fight for the flag.
Their flag is but a rag—
Ours is the true one;
Up with the Stars and Stripes!
with the new one!
Let our colors fly, boys—
Guard them day and night;
For victory is liberty,
And God will bless the right.”