The labor
was intensive;
the birth,
expensive,
and everyone
celebrated
what the fathers
created.
(But actually,
necessity
is the mother
of invention!)
A declaration
of independence
from the king
would bring
forth
on the fourth
of July, 1776
an evolution
of politics
from the critics
of monarchy,
with a vision
of democracy
that somehow
included
people
as property
for almost
another
century.
But the muscle
memory
of and for
opportunity
has guided
the trajectory
of this
then new
country,
founded,
and now
hounded,
by old men.
When was
America
just a
replica
of her
ideal?
Electing a
president
set a precedent
for self government,
but how
to effectuate
is still
a debate.
What makes
America great
isn’t innate
or fate.
It’s the pursuit
not just
of happiness
but of
the less
obvious
equality
of every
body;
even the ones
who look different
from you
and
with whom
you disagree
(or worse).
The curse
of freedom
is over
abundance;
tolerance
of bigotry,
and over
reliance
on individuality.
The miracle
of the American
ideal
is made real
every day
while
also being
contradicted.
We may be
conflicted
over
what seems
inflicted,
depicted
incessantly
on our screens.
But tomorrow
we’ll all
face
the sky
as fireworks
fly,
like celestial
candles
on our
birthday
cake.
What gifts
will you
give?
Or will
you just
take?
Do you
expect
party
favors?
On our
best
behaviors,
we’ll
make sure
we’ll
endure
for
another 250
and more.
Happy Birthday
to US.
lou sight 