Fireworks

the grand ol’ flag flies on the Fourth

celebration gives an excuse to make more noise

than see sparkling lights in my neighborhood

I guess I can stand it for three days a year

the legal allotment for the frivolous to disturb

the normal calm and quiet as everyone goes about life

but don’t let your dog bark, because that’s too much

you can expect and plan on the revelers

so it’s not distressing and for the most part

they shoot off their cache of explosives all at once

I don’t understand the excitement with destruction

and the debris as the ash falls back to earth

even the glittery mega-stars hold little thrill

it’s more fun to see the sparkle in a child’s eyes

as they take in the newness of it all

I’d rather read the Declaration of Independence

than deal with the booms and bru-ha-ha of fireworks