July Fourth

The streets are lined with bunting; alternating red and white,
With midnight fields of royal blue atwinkle with starlight.
The sun is burning deep into the thick mid-morning haze,

And a gentle breeze begins to flutter as Old Glory waves.

The boulevard is filling up as folks with folding chairs

Begin to jockey for their spots away from midday's glare.

The very old... The very young, and all ages in between

Have come to watch the pageant soon to burst upon the scene.

As vendors hawk their wares and toddlers wave their flags with glee,

Anticipation rises to a fever-pitched degree.

They stand and watch the boulevard awaiting the first sign;

A drumbeat or a bugle or a fire engine's whine.

Now, somewhere in the distance rings an old familiar sound;

The whistle of the bandleader as drums begin to pound.

Now suddenly the street is filled with brass and tambourine.

The band is playing "Sousa" as the crowd begins to scream.

With flag and flourish they proceed to march in unison.

They look as if they could continue 'til the setting sun.

Another band. Another tune. The crowd fills with applause.

And in between the snare and fife fill every break and pause.

Jesters and jugglers make their way along the avenue

As Joey sits on grandpa shoulders for a better view.

Cotton candy, hot dogs, ice cream, every kind of fare.

Smells of summer rising, falling, wafting through the air.

The funny cars and unicycles, clowns with funny feet;

Floats and flowers, soldiers, sailors fill the crowded street.

And every politician who the crowd helped to elect

Is kissing babies, pressing flesh and craning at the neck.

And now, a pause. The honor guard, both silent and aloof,

Stills every hand and every heart; demanding quiet proof
That this above all other days is filled with truth and worth.
For this day is the day we celebrate our nation's birth.
The parade at last is over. The crowd is satisfied.
They make their way to home and hearth. Their hearts filled up with pride.
Their afternoon is spent in reminiscence of this day
And others they have passed in quite the same familiar way.
And soon the evening stillness and its' shadows fill their eyes.
Again they stand in silence. Their gaze fixed upon the skies.
The back yard and the barbecue are just a memory
As darkness bodes excitement for what is soon to be.
And now the skies burst open with flash and flare and boom.
Horizon to horizon fills until there's no more room,
And every flash and every bang and every boom and pop
Is cheered on by the crowd who pray the spectacle won't stop.

But when the final rocket bursts and the cannon's roar is stilled,
When with moonlight high above the starry night is filled,
The rowdy crowd will dissipate, as pride fills up their chest,
In a land where no one settles for being second best.
So let no foe defame her nor her dignity deride.
Hoist her banner skyward. Saluting it with pride.
A day like any other?  No.   This is a special day;
The birthday of our country.   May god bless the U.S.A.

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