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