Where Was The Flag B-E-F-O-R-E?

Joe Ross’s Where Was The Flag B–E–F–O–R–E? explores existence, perception, and change. It blends philosophy, spirituality, and cultural reflection, using fluid language to challenge fixed meaning. The poem resists traditional structure, embracing a cyclical rhythm that mirrors evolving thought. At its core, the work questions how we construct meaning. Ross examines time’s fluidity, weaving past, present, and future into a singular unfolding. The flag symbolizes both presence and absence, identity and ambiguity. The recurring question “Where was the flag before?” urges readers to confront uncertainty. Spiritually, the poem dissolves fixed constructs, invoking repetition, variation, and negation. Inspired by Zen koans, it becomes a meditative space, exploring the tension between holding on and letting go. Themes of renewal and impermanence resonate throughout, making spirituality an active experience within the text. Culturally, the poem challenges rigid interpretations. The flag, tied to identity and power, is reframed as an ephemeral symbol. Ross disrupts linear logic, drawing from jazz, improvisation, and experimental poetics. The poem’s musicality enhances its themes of displacement and meaning-making. Ultimately, Where Was The Flag B–E–F–O–R–E? invites readers into a sensory and intellectual experience. By fusing philosophy, spirituality, and culture, Ross creates a shifting poetic landscape where meaning is never fixed but always in motion.