Independence Days

For G, who recites the story so well!

In 1776

at the State House in PA

unprecedented events

made Independence Day

 

First, a grand proposal

by Richard Henry Lee

that free and independent states

the colonies should be

 

Not everyone agreed to this

among the delegates

which led to some determined men

roaring titanic debates

 

John Adams, a staunch Patriot

for freedom he did thirst;

his voice thundered above a storm

that hot July the first

 

Pennsylvania’s John Dickinson

was loyal to the crown

but Adams’ steadfast, strident tone

soon wore the lawyer down

 

The next day, Congress voted,

the result of altercation;

July 2, '76 ~

the birthday of our nation

 

What happened on the fourth

that now we celebrate?

The Declaration was approved;

this gesture sealed our fate

 

So before fireworks this year,

remember those sparks that flew,

the days that led to liberty

stitching firm the red, white and blue

 

Author's Note

Lee made his proposal in June; the debate of July 1, the vote on July 2, the approval of the Declaration on the 4th, the public reading on the 8th... So many days and events that we should celebrate! :)

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

so important to recollect the history, both distant and near, that brings us to our present. it seems so often these days that the Constitution and Bill of Rights are dragged into the shadows and freedoms usurped by an ever increasingly bloated, wasteful, greedy monster that none seem able to restrain. sorry! didn't mean to soap box. :}
i love your poem; and your style refreshes me. write on sister!
E.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, E! This particular period of history is near and dear to me, as I live in Philadelphia and my husband is a ranger at Independence Park. :)

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Crafted and a learned piece that states history well, well done.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Thomas.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Your welcome.

[Clockwork]

I really like how you bring history to life here. Sometimes historical pieces feel dry and dusty, but this one has as much life in it as that day in July. My favorite parts where the stanzas where you mentioned Adams. He has always been one of my favorite "founding fathers" and I like how you really brought him to life in those stanzas. I shivered when I read the seventh and eights stanzas, and I guarantee it had nothing to do with the AC :-)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, C. Adams is one of my favorites, too.

[Clockwork]

You're welcome :-) This makes me want to go visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell

[Rita L. Sev]

I'm there a lot in the summer - my husband is a Ranger in Independence Park. :)

[Clockwork]

Wow, that is awesome!

:-)

[Frieda P]

Thanks for the history lesson teach, and Happy 4th!

[Rita L. Sev]

:) Thank you, Frieda. And to you!

[Frieda P]

You're welcome, learn something new here every day....

[Renée]

That I will Rita...those men and women were incredibly strong risking Everything.. including their and loved ones lives... Well Done !

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Renee! Glad you enjoyed.

[Renée]

( :
....

[quinfinn]

wonderfully penned history lesson here, Rita!

[Rita L. Sev]

Got my Philly Muse on... Thanks, Quin!

[quinfinn]

i love Philly, but some parts are so dangerous!!!!!!

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! I taught for 9 years in one of them. But, it's home to me! :)

[quinfinn]

hey, best place in the world to get a philly cheesesteak sub!

[Baby Ricochet]

That's for sure. Great poem Rita.......

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Mark

[Angel]

Let us never forget the bloody war that followed, or the brave men who fought and died to give us the blessings of liberty.
OH, what would they think if they could see what we have done with the gift they purchased so dearly!!!
Their blood, their blood cries out to the Lord, and I very greatly fear that we who have been given much, much will also be required at our hands! We are our Father's most spoiled children, here in this Land of the Free. How many good men and women have suffered and died...are suffering and dying...for His Name?
Remember...for evil to prevail, all that is required is for good men to do nothing...I'll bet you know where that quote came from, though I can't remember at the moment.
Okay...rant over. Let me jump down off this stump, so that I can tell you what a fantastic writer you are, and what a precious friend, you liberal you! Don't mind me too much...I always get a bit angsty during this particular holiday...

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Angel - I appreciate that my poem got you thinking, and exercising your freedom of speech!
That quote is from Edmund Burke, an English supporter of the American Revolution. I really wasn't trying to be political, just share a piece of the history that few remember. We all remember the War, the bloodshed, and all those wars that followed; but this liberty started with an idea, and the internal struggle among the delegates is an important part of the story. Americans have an idea that they know what the Founding Fathers would say of this country today, as if they all were cut from the same cloth. SO not the case! In many ways, the freedoms we enjoy today had to be finagled, and there were ill-advised decisions made. And yet - it's our history.
OK, my rant is over too! Remember, I live in Philadelphia, and am married to a Ranger. I will likely spend the Fourth in Independence Park, to stand in that Hall and hear the echoes of those men... :)

[Angel]

It's been almost fifty years ago...I got into trouble for refusing to say the pledge of allegiance. I explained to the teacher that I had pledged my allegiance to a different Kingdom, and that I had another King. I was an adolescent, full of my new love...and thinking that it mattered.
I did a lot of detention in those days...not least for asking why, if Congress could open every session with prayer, we could no longer pray in school? I wanted to know...why should I pledge my allegiance to a nation that would not let me pray??
It is the holiday, my sweet Rita...I want to celebrate freedom...but how can I when over a million babies died in abortion clinics in this country, last year alone?
It's a glorious history, to be sure...can we perserve it?

[Rita L. Sev]

A good and important question, Angel. Preserving the freedom of our Founders is not what we want to preserve, though. That was woefully incomplete. I know my experience has been different - we prayed in school every day, and I still do... but until the freedom is complete, more debates are needed - and this includes prayer in schools...

[Angel]

Of course! You were raised Catholic, and probably went to a Catholic school. My family wasn't particularly religious (surprised?) and I went to regular public school. I was about 12 when the decision came down...no prayer in school. Just about the time I had discovered Jesus Christ...the dawn of the hippie era. You would have thought I was the first little girl who ever had a "religious experience"...but my teachers were not sympathetic...

[Angel]

I never can remember that some kids got to grow up in homes where their Christian faith was actually encouraged...

[Rita L. Sev]

Yep - Catholic grade school, high school, AND college. For some people, it was too much religion, and they turned away. For me, it became a part of me...

[Angel]

Yes...but you aren't much like any Catholics I know...most of 'em make me look like a "free spirit".
You, my cheeerful little bird, are an enigma.

[Rita L. Sev]

I cannot disagree! :)

[Will]

More of a declaration of war than a Declaration of Independence, but this was still an awesome piece! I love how you did it almost like a historical narrative, which really got me into it. I could see the debate in the state house, and signatures hitting parchment. Nicely done!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Will! If you really want to see that debate come to life, head to Philadelphia for a tour of Independence Hall - some of the Rangers are awesome at re-telling this slice of history.

[Will]

Oh yeah I've done it before. I love it, can't wait to go back.

[Marie]

We should always celebrate our freedom. Good Independence Day Poem, Rita. I'm working on one myself.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Marie! I look forward to reading yours, too!