These
Family Parties
It feels like I haven’t written
a poem
in years
so I grab my journal
at the 4th of July party.
at the 4th of July party.
It’s a family party -
or wannabe family party.
or wannabe family party.
My cousin’s boyfriend
(who won’t make it to marriage)
is lighting fireworks to my right
and the rest of them are inside
(who won’t make it to marriage)
is lighting fireworks to my right
and the rest of them are inside
eating meat
while I sit in a chair
by myself
smoking and drinking.
by myself
smoking and drinking.
I’m starting to see double
and am afraid to stand
although I have to urinate.
and am afraid to stand
although I have to urinate.
I’m growing tired
of drinking
like this
in order to attend
these family parties -
or wannabe family parties.
of drinking
like this
in order to attend
these family parties -
or wannabe family parties.
But,
I wish we had more of
these family parties -
these family parties -
I write when I feel alone.
July Fourth -- Grandma Moses
The 4th of July is the day on which Americans celebrate their Independence Day every year. However, in a closed session, the Continental Congress actually voted to declare independence on 2 July 1776. John Adams wrote in his diary, "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations, from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more." The actual Declaration of Independence, written in part by Adams but mainly by Thomas Jefferson, was formally presented on 28 June, and after voting for independence Congress spent 2 days editing it, reducing its length by about 1/4; on 19 July a resolution instructed all members to sign it and that the word "unanimous" be added to the text. The final document was probably signed on 2 August by 56 men, several of whom were not present on 4 July when it was approved by 12 of the 13 states that were represented in the Congress (the New York delegation was not permitted to vote on it until a week later); the last signer was Matthew Thornton, who did not sign it until 4 November. However, some 34 delegates probably signed the final wording of the document on 4 July, and a handwritten copy was sent to a printer for distribution. The 1st public reading was made on 8 July , and George Washington, the commander of the Continental Army, read it to his troops on 9 July. The date was not made into a paid federal holiday until 1938, though it had been celebrated as an unpaid holiday for federal employees since 1870. It is generally accompanied by fireworks, parades, concerts, and family reunions.
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