A Silent Independence Day

A Silent Summer Night

It seemed so quiet,

without

firecrackers,

and

sparklers,

and other little Chinese cardboard things

filled with black powder

that glow or sparkle

(sometimes fizzle like a dud)

sometimes burning

sometimes sparking a fire

that destroys.

For different reasons,

no one bought the fireworks,

some were mandates to prevent

those horrid fires

in the dry parts of the US.

Some were too poor to

Celebrate

the Independence

of our favored country,

the one that helps everyone else,

like a parent,

sacrificing lifeblood and money

so others may be free.

This year a silent celebration,

not one pop did I hear,

no sizzle

no bang

no happy campers.

Did others hear the silence this year?

The politicians busy

cancelling vacation

or did they really?

How independent are we,

when the people cannot celebrate

the independence of our country

because the cost is too great?

I do not want to be so dark

By pointing out the darkness

that there was that special night.

No fireworks,

no poppers,

no sparkling,

just dark.

Will the politicians really think of me,

as they pass those laws while

they are texting their family,

"be back to the beach after this vote"?

Will the politicians hear

the silence that is there,

that night,

that dark, dark night?

Will we sink or swim

in the years to follow?

Will the silence

find its freedom

and ring?