June 28, 2013

Poetry Friday--"Independence Day"

Next week is the 4th of July, which used to be more commonly known as Independence Day. The day was to celebrate declaring our independence from Britain in 1776. Through the years its meaning to the American public has changed to being a day off in the summer with fireworks after dark. I've called my poem for today, "Independence Day," instead of "4th of July," for what I hope will be obvious reasons.


© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved. The painting, by Frederick Childe Hassam, is "Fourth of July, 1916," courtesy of The Athenaeum. Click on the image to make it larger for reading.

I love this country, don't get me wrong, it's just that I think we are mired in a culture of consumerism and self-importance, and it worries me deeply.

Enjoy the upcoming weekend and next Thurday's holiday. Meanwhile, join me at the Poetry Friday Round-Up, which is being hosted by Amy at The Poem Farm.
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11 comments:

  1. Amy LVJune 28, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    Oh, Diane. I completely understand where you are going here. Poetry is very important these days - to write...and to share. I'm feeling especially grateful for our community in here right now. And writing-wise, I do have to just say that I love the hot dog thread through the poem. It works perfectly, perfectly sadly. I wish you a Happy PF!

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    1. Diane MayrJune 28, 2013 at 12:23 PM

      I'm glad you like the hot dog references, I was wondering if it was a bit over-the-top.

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  2. jamaJune 28, 2013 at 12:18 PM

    Hear, hear, and Bravo, Diane!

    What seems so simple and basic to some, is incomprehensible to others. What's not to understand about, "All men are created equal"?

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    1. Diane MayrJune 28, 2013 at 12:29 PM

      Yes, Jama! And the idea that women, too, have the right to control their own bodies and destinies, and to work, and be paid, as equals to men!

      We'll all keep working. One of my favorite quotes is this one from Martin Luther King, Jr.: the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.

      Stepping off my soapbox...

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  3. KeriJune 28, 2013 at 3:07 PM

    Not many people can include hot dogs with their soapboxes, so well done, you! I appreciate your heart for justice, truth, and humor. Thanks for sharing it with us!

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  4. RuthJune 28, 2013 at 9:02 PM

    I like this! Thanks for sharing it!

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  5. Michelle Heidenrich BarnesJune 28, 2013 at 11:27 PM

    I wonder sometimes how it can be possible that my understanding of our country's founding principles can be so different from others. To me, so much of it boils down to a misunderstanding of what is a right vs. what is a privilege.

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  6. Robyn Hood BlackJune 29, 2013 at 4:26 PM

    Ooohh - glad you didn't hold back, hot dogs and all. Thanks for sharing/reminding. Your voice is important.

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  7. Mary LeeJune 30, 2013 at 10:21 PM

    You are quite frank with your opinions, aren't you now?!? (pun intended!!!0

    That third stanza is the zinger for me. The bootstraps and no boots...yup.

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  8. Diane MayrJuly 1, 2013 at 8:02 AM

    Thank you, Ruth, Michelle, Robyn, and the punny Mary Lee! I'm not on top of the comments this weekend--we had a bridal shower for my daughter that kept us a little busy!

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