Barbeques are manned by men
in their fresh, well-manicured lawns
while laughing children play freeze tag,
babies recline in Mom’s embrace,
and hotdogs populate every plate.
Firetrucks sing a booming, “Wee-Oh,”
the antique cars call out, “Oooo-Gah,”
and the high school band serenades
a greeting to those along the
American flag lined boulevard.
Dazzling explosions are met with
screams of appreciation from
townsfolk perching atop their cars
as bright flowers erupt above the
fairgrounds, awakened for the day.
Want more pieces to celebrate America? Check out some of these from our other excellent writers!
- Elements of Freedom – Poetry Corner
- Juneteenth is Only the Beginning – Nonfiction
- At Maple Park for Fireworks – Poetry
🍵 We run on pure passion here at the Roost and every bit of help goes a long way! If you’d like to support our on-going efforts to keep our publication free for everyone, consider fueling us with a digital tea.
Paula Frew
Transplanted from Ohio to Kentucky to be near her only daughter and three young grandsons, the author wrote her first poem in the fourth grade. She fell in love with the form and was first published in an anthology at fourteen. A battle with multiple sclerosis has caused her to find her home in a nursing home, where she has found time to craft her poetry as well as time to teach writing to other residents. She has been published in several literary magazines and anthologies, including Ohio Bards and The Walt Whitman Anthology.
You can find Paula on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
