Alone with Fireworks of July

On a folding chair under hidden starlight
and a proudly flying flag and
in between sticky humidity and buzzing insects
sits a child with impatience
etched on her face
Annoyance creeps higher as
irritation screams and she
scratches and itches, wishing for a breeze
Finally, a flying blaze of glitter shooting upward
explodes in a boom of colors, lights
smoke and wonder abloom
accompanied by country music
The wait was worth every
flash of light, bellow of noise, splash of color
The birth of a fire and its death
quick as a kiss against the dark sky
transforms a child’s features
feeds awe to her wide-open mouth
paints wonder in her young eyes
A child on the edge of her seat
leaning forward, hands outstretched
for sparkles and promises she cannot
reach, afraid they’ll disappear like smoke

wishes for someone to share the spectacle