I Pledge Allegiance to the Disco Ball

I've asked for some things for my new classroom
and have gotten some of them.

I haven't gotten the extra bookshelf.
Or the Post It chart paper.
Or an American flag,
large or small.

Instead
when the vice principal
leads the Pledge over the PA system
my class and I face the blue disco ball
I got for $5 at Five Below.
We really like it.

I believe in sparkly objects
that catch and amplify light.
I believe in beauty.
It's a great icy blue color.

I believe in my country
minus the guns,
right-wing fanaticism,
and hateful religious zealots.
Though nowadays,
that seems to be so much
of what America is.

I quietly believe 
in the tradition of the pledge.
I think it teaches respect,
though most countries don't do theirs every day.

I believe in educating students about America's history,
including the varied, true reasons behind wars.
But mostly,
I believe in quietly held convictions
that don't require daily thoughtless recitation and symbolism

Therefore,
I believe that while my class waits for a flag,
there's no problem with facing the sparkly blue disco ball.