Sunday, July 5, 2020

Independence Day on Display


Sunset, July 4th, 2020 and the fireworks begin.

My little dog comes to my side begging, I sur-

mise, to make the explosions stop outside.


The neighborhood erupts with fireworks all

around. And we claim celebration in the name

of our country’s Independence.


I watch the festivities around the country

on TV. Various cities and their symphonies

play stirring march music to commemorate

and romanticize the bombs bursting in air.


My pup barks and whines at the battle

raging outside. It is a violation of city ordi-

nace to set off fireworks here, but those

who are determined to participate are

unaffected by either the law or common

sense.


There is the disrupting cacophony of

noise plus the proven danger of fire

and personal injury.


I hold my pup in my lap and try to

reassure her that we’re going to get

through this and be okay. I’m sure

she can sense that I too am pissed.


And I come to realize the stark reality

that we Americans as an insubordinate

people often feel privileged to ignore

the laws protecting us all.


And, in the name of exercising our god

given rights we are more than willing to

disregard common sense, inflicting upon

others our thoughtless and lawless actions.


I suppose it is in our selfish and innate

primitive nature to set things on fire 

and our predilectio to blow shit up.

And it’s all in the name of freedom and

Liberty for All, we shamelessly claim.


                        -30-

Chris Hanch 7-5-2020





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