Catherine Grace Weiner
July 2006 , University of Florida
Sacrifice, blood, sweat, tears,
War.
Drums roll and the flag unfurls,
Thankfulness and celebration.
Liberty.
Chains are broken,
Captives are freed and the bells ring.
The torch is extended,
Refugees step onto the shores of promise.
Picnics, families, parks, parades,
Warm rays, the sun breaks through.
Homemade ice cream drips
on the fresh mown grass.
Bands play.
The setting sun silhouettes little girls
and boys playing along the shore,
Color splashes the sails of the anchored boats on the placid water-
Celestial glory.
Waiting, watching, necks are strained,
Time creeps by.
A flickering light.
Loud explosions pierce the sky,
The bursting light of a million sparklers
All celebrate the triumph of the human spirit.
