–July Fourth, 2023
Smack-dab in the middle of our neighborhood
the love of the town and his caregiver dancing
to the band’s rendition of Led Zeppelin’s
Communication Breakdown, their sweating bodies
sparkling with every move; golf carts garbed in American
flags resting at the water fountain in the center of the block,
their occupants chattering with neighbors like brown
headed cowbirds, the Cavapoos and Labs pullling
on leashes, excited by banter and song. Nearby,
folks fire up the grill for burgers and freshly-shucked,
butter-slathered corn while others stretch
electrical cords to their several ice cream churns packed
in salt and ice and filled with cream and sugar and fresh
Georgia peaches. Finally, the night booms and strobes
patriotic, and oooohs and ahhhhhs reverberate around
every corner. How beautiful it is, this coming together,
this fellow feeling, this happiness shared. How simple,
like breathing.
Prompt: Write your own Independence Day poem. What family and friends or others do you associate with the holiday? What customs and traditions do you hold fast to? Is there a barbecue? Fireworks? What special music? OR maybe you will want to go a different route and think of what you might want independence from? A memory? A physical ailment? A situation you’re in right now? Whatever direction you take, write for ten minutes to gather your thoughts. Put the writing aside, and tomorrow or next week or month, pick it up again. You might be surprised at what’s there or what else might come to you.