4th of July
Time is a lie. It happens while we're sleeping.
My family entitled me to talk like this.
They were always mending things
or making what they wouldn't buy.
Partly thrift. But more
it's our natural right to work
with the materials available.
The story was Aunt Peggy
drilled branches into an Xmas tree,
muttered, Who says only God can make a tree?
They put us kids in the parade.
Turbans, top hats--costumes from the attic.
Wrapped my uncle in a sheet
with torch and crown. They called us
huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
Evidently I got old.
Costumes come from Wal*Mart.
The country sleepwalks into war.