Independence Day

I hate the fourth of july but tonight

I drove to the edge of the ocean

Just a few streets down from the house

I bought on my own but share with you

Families and lovers with craned necks lined the parkway

Ooing and ahhing at the fireworks

A panoramic symphony

Glittering along the horizon

Claps of thunder echoing off the shore

It felt like an exhale after holding my breath for a year

I assigned each firework a name but

Let them tell their own story

Like any good curator

Grief, Loneliness, Uncertainty

Your Lips on Mine

Black Floating Frame

Not Too Much Maple

Climbing a Fence-

to peek at the neighbor

Burgers Smoked on the Grill

Apple Pie and Whipped Cream-

with my mother who always has

just what we need for any occasion

All exploded into nothing

Trails of smoke disappearing as the ash

slipped in the water and people cheered

We made it