everything comes out on
independence day
and it all comes out in
the dark
illuminated by old men
in swim trunks
illuminated by remembering
the dead
illuminated by kids with glow bracelets
because fireworks are banned
(though you hear the illegal m-80s
exploding all night long)
watered down with beer
baked with too much sun
filled to bursting with hot dogs
and burges and barbecue
and finally an inevitable tumble
down a hill, face first into a wall
but the miracle of the lights
and the thundering booms
and the excited animal sounds
of the children watching
pure in excitement, redeem it
not only in america, you think
Words and Feathers 