4th of July, Monument City, Indiana

by Ed Shacklee

Trumpet vines in bloom that day
could never match the flare of brass
that blared the march was under way.
The county cheered to see them pass,

and many joined the war right there,
as old and young men drank the noise
that thrilled them with its martial air,
and then reduced them all to boys.

My heart was not its own, and beat
to please the drums that came up last.
Confetti flurries veiled the street
in glory as the twirlers passed.

They passed. Then quiet, till we heard
a crow and then a mockingbird.


Ed Shacklee is a public defender in the District of Columbia who represents children.
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Pat Jones
Published October 3 2010