My 4th of July

I watched you last night,

while the sun was setting

and the daylight declined

YOU in your suit...

struggling within the crowd

to find a friend

you stood out

like a man without a country

 

The man in the wheelchair turned away

when you said hello

he being the recipient

of your political decisions

trying to live

on the leftovers

of a government

that desserted him

 

No one cared

that you were anxious

for a return on your investment

for the time and effort, the work it took

no recognition, no smiles

for the money

you were able to amass

and put in your pocket

 

Instead they danced

listened to the music provided

and watched

as the artists who gave of themselves 

put up pictures of our founding fathers

and thought of the country they started

and celebrated

a dream

 

 

Reviews

[annjeelynn]

You are such a vivid writer! I especially liked the line, "like a man without a country"...

[Samuel Dickens]

It sounds like some of the folks enjoyed themselves, at least.

[bailish]

Ow! This leaves more questions in my mind than answers in my heart.

I'm curious to know what this "return on your investment" is for. How did he invest anything? It sounds like he's a politician who wants to make a difference, but when he talks to the man in the wheelchair, he's got a grudge. Every decision we make will have some benefit more than others.
And the others aren't interested because they only came for the lighter stuff, that which is expected on that day.

[LSS]

Hey, were you on a gig, one of the band last night? I can imagine what the unused side of your brain goes through while watching the audience perform for you. Them not knowing they are on the other side of the eyepiece of what they see. Sometimes I have seen them oblivious to life with their vacant eyes staring back at you. You wonder what would shake them out of their own personal reverie. Even corporate tragedy doesn't seem to stir up much, though it is interesting to see the change when the scythe swings in their direction.
Lar