Declaring Your Independence ~ a plein air poem on the Country's Independence Day ~ July 4th

Declaring Your Independence

                                     on the Country’s Independence Day

On this day when we mark

with fireworks and picnics

the Country becoming 

wholly self-governing,

maybe it’s a day, 

an opportunity

to affirm or assent, ascend to 

our own free-handedness,

our fullest independence ~

of thought, of action;

of way of living, being 

in the world. The right

to freely choose our own way,

to naturally express 

our own feelings

among our own people,

all people.

Without fanfare, or fear  

of their histrionics,

censorings or polemics.

Maybe declaring this 

Self-rule; giving up

beholdenness ~ to

anything or anyone that

keeps us from growing,

keeps us from rising.

Including allegiance

to old beliefs,  

unserving loyalties 

~ and giving ourselves

these vital, radial liberties,

takes equal braveness ~ 

and even greater 

precedence.

Colin Goedecke

Morristown, New Jersey

July 4th, 2018

Let the Fireworks Begin ~ a plein air poem for the 4th of July

Let the Fireworks Begin

The star showers.

The wild flowerings.

The palm trees and peonies,

dahlias, chrysanthemums

of high-flying light;

The waterfalls

of sparks, colors.

The bright night-burnings

embering down

into dark.

The flashes

and shimmers

of earth-flung comets,

bracelets, diadems.

The rocketing arcs

you follow with wide-open eyes, 

almost held-breath,

till you ohh and aah

from the outbursts

of silver and gold;

emerald, rose, rare blue.

Feel the ensuing booms

reverberate in your belly

as you lie face-to-sky

on a wide-spread blanket

easy and cozy with friends.

And savor all ~

amid the dangling spangles,

and wizzing, crackling,

whistling sounds ~

with innocent wonder.

Through the last fanfare:

the blazing, rousing finale;

the applause,

the drifting clouds

of smoke and contented crowds.

Colin Goedecke

Morristown, New Jersey

July 4th, 2016