Celebrating Freedom

On Independence Day,
I decided against going to see the pageantry out on the water.
The East River banks were bloated with tourists and townies alike.
Instead, I stayed at home, in Ridgewood, waiting for the noise to begin.

I followed the sound to find the bright burning colors in the sky.
I was never much of a patriot;
Then again, I never fought for my right to exist.
I left home, taking the road with my ears open.
Every family sat outside, smiling, prepared with sparklers.
In the road there were soda bottles, plugged with rockets!

On every street the fireworks crackled.
They boomed, banged, clanged and rang out
On the usually quiet suburb streets.
Fizzles and hisses,
But also great explosions!
The cops got to see them just as soon as I did;
Shortly after, the lights were gone.

I kept walking from one light to the next, and each boom
Brought me further away from home.
I added harmony to a drunken chorus of "The Star Spangled Banner"
Come from a nearby house; they were laughing all the while through.

I walked in silence past an enormous, peaceful cemetery
Full of large and ornate headstones.
Today I didn't feel fear. They celebrated too, I think.

And then, I arrived.
The trees blocked my view at first, but then I saw it --
The East River, at a distance. Piled in front of a large, fenced in area,
Were dozens of families, peering eagerly through the chain links
To see the fireworks, likely a mile away.
I was in the Mexican neighborhood now,
And their fireworks interested me more than the
Explosive extravaganza of our Manhattan friends.
The reason I admired their show is mixed
Somewhere between their fresh patriotic love
And their superior party-throwing skills.
Most of all, they still have hope that
This country will provide if they remain faithful.
I wish I thought so, too.

What a beautiful and strange sort of party.
What a wonderful night.