July 4: Sound Judgment

The soundscape differs on a holiday-

Construction sites fall silent, and the thrum

Of traffic fades beneath the morning gray,

As though the clouds absorb both sound and sun.

But sizzling grills and children’s’ merry shrieks

Will herald hot dog lunches on the grass.

And Stars and Stripes Forever seems the peak

Of sweet nostalgia, ’til the warning blast;

O fiery buds exploding into bloom

And strewing golden grains across the sky

How I adore your sulfurous perfume

As cynical displeasure you defy.

Though I a...