Hand Ground, Home Grown 4th of July Block Party

My dad’s big juicy Burgers on a charcoal grill.

Neighborhood kids getting their fill.

Lots O’ Watermelon dripping from my chin.

Spitting seeds to see who could win.

Fights in the backyard and Fun in the front.

Old Ms. Brumfield’s bowl full of nuts.

Aunt Jonnie says where have you been?

Watching TV in the Tayor’s den!

Girls in pigtails laughing at me.

Ricky Gomez falling from the Johnson’s tree.

Hitting a home run over the line.

Lost the ball, that’s Ok, it wasn’t mine.

Music and laughter abound the air.

And Danny chasing Suzie over there.

Getting ready for the big event.

My friends and I in our homemade tent.

Then we hear it that booming sound,

Everyone stops and gathers round.

There it is that first bright light,

Waves of color fill the night.

Better than any of my wildest dreams,

I love it when my sister screams.

More and more can it never end?

I next to Marty my best friend.

Booming and banging what a Big deal.

Louder and brighter and brighter still.

My friends and my family watching in awe,

My sister clutching the hand of our Pa’

My mother in tears as a flag she waves.

I jumping up to see over Dave.

Then with a crescendo the last of the night,

I guessed it was and I guessed right.

Now it was done, what next to do?

A box of sparkerlers and snakes too!

We make Whistlers into skyrockets.

I’ve got Firecrackers in my pockets.

Scaring the cat and my sister as well,

Back then it was ok, no worries of jail.

But then it is over and I am let down,

What’s this one more sparkerler left on the ground!

I light it fast I light with glee,

I give it to my sister instead of me.

The neighbors depart and give me a wink,

I am so tired I can’t even think.

I to my bed and my family to sleep,

My memories are many and mine to keep.

Please Add Your 4th of July Memories to the Comments

God Bless America