On America’s birthday
fresh American ideals are
mowed like sweet Kentucky bluegrass
that dreamed of becoming
amber waves of grain
Blankets on hills in Ohio
Picnics by Texas BBQ’s
Boats on water in Baltimore
Beach parties along the California coast
Long-timers with deep roots
Visitors and those hoping to stay
gather on the corner
gazing through valleys
and down boulevards to see
Nevada’s purple mountains in all
their violet majesty
Collectively we wait for night
Desperately anticipating
cover for our anxieties in
exuberant bangs of light
Finally, rockets aimed not to destroy
but to delight
Maybe the morning after
gatherings for change
continue from coast to coast
marching in beautiful displays of disruptive light
