Freak Flag

In the 60’s you could tell
Preppy kid from hippie:
Khakis, loafers, button-downs
Versus outfits trippy:

Low-slung dungarees with hems
Belled and frayed or shredded;
Tie-dyed shirts to let folks know
To Yasgur’s farm we headed.

Free-form hair, bandana bound,
Our message loud and clear:
We defy convention,
Breathe in our own atmosphere.

As David Crosby used to sing,
We let our freak flags fly.
If some small spark of freak still lives,
It’s not hard to espy.

Check out those funky earrings or
Those multicolored socks;
That retro pair of glasses:
Coloring outside the box.

A beaded vest, a kicky hat,
Some boots of soft brown leather;
A slouchy bag, a fringy belt,
A necklace twined with feather.

If you look carefully, you’ll see
(You cannot really hide)
That former freak flag fliers
In old bodies do reside.

So if you spot a fellow freak
In restaurant, mall, or movie,
Just nod in recognition and
Be happy you’re still groovy.