4th of July
There was a 4th of July block party,
everyone dressed in red, white, and blue for the occasion.
All the kids swam in the cold pools throughout the neighborhood.
The smell of chlorine in our hair,
and barbeque from the grill.
It became dark.
We all retreated to our front yards,
waiting for the fireworks.
Silence.
Glow sticks and snacks,
laid out on our blanket for the show.
The booms of fireworks began,
lighting up the neighborhood.
Cheering,
the fireworks flew high into the sky.
My mother yelling,
my brother had chewed a glow stick open.
More yelling,
my nightgown had caught a spark.
Cold water being dumped on me,
my nightgown was burnt and wet.
Silence, and then cheering.
The show was over.
