Fourth of July

Fourth of July

by Erin L George

 

Red.

Four years later, I'm reminded

in fireworks set off by silly boys

too full of life to burn themselves

on something sold for celebration.

You wouldn't understand.

You, and she, are raising little girls

whose flip flops are laced with yarn

and glitter on the granite counter top.

You kiss me.

I sigh. Afraid to close my eyes.

Your neighbors shoot off fireworks

that worry you:

"Dam! They're gonna wake the girls!"

The sky is a black blanket now

(I'm determined for it to be)

and I press my eyes shut,

hiding from

fireworks lighting it with hope

that you're somewhere,

remembering too.

I know better.

I should have kissed you back.

Maybe not.

 

White.

You held me on her wicker couch

promising Papa would be proud

and reminding me of ways to remember

him. You. And fireworks.

I squeeze my eyes tighter, wondering

if I'll ever have the nerve to open them

and see the colors, four years new.

You wouldn't understand -

your promises built on lust

and fireworks. The kids never did wake up

And you got over me before I left.

 

Blue.

Fourth of July. Wondering,

as they blast through the sky,

will I ever forget about you?

Four years later.

Red. White. Blue.

Author's Note

Something I wrote in the moment, as fireworks lit up the sky overhead. Certainly not intended to have any literary merit. Just something for me, and the other who shared my experience.

Reviews

[Wicahpi]

Bravo :)

[James Paulin]

I have read a few of your poems now and I like them. This one has theme, form and intrinsic interest. You have a sense of classic style that reminds me of well done poems of a prior age. You have talent.

[Rose Tyler]

Bravo. I enjoyed this one. A lost love perhaps, four years back? I like how each stanza stared with either red, white or blue. And the stanza was really good -

Blue.
Fourth of July. Wondering,
as they blast through the sky,
will I ever forget about you?
Four years later.
Red. White. Blue.

Excellent job!