Summer Holiday Night

In the summer, the days are long and the nights seem longer

at dusk, lightning bugs rise and glow over a field near a main road

children pass by on the sidewalk, eating ice cream and lagging far behind their parents

cars pass by with open windows, blasting out a beat with rapping vocals

in the playground, children swing from the monkey bars,

swing back and forth on the swings, chase each other for no reason

except too much energy.

The band plays familiar songs from the stage

some sing along and wave the flag with the colors

of the red, white, and blue.

Fireworks erupt in the blackening sky

the patriotic holiday is ending with a big bang

brilliant colors, bright sparkling lights, and a cloud of smoke

drifting off to the east, towards Philadelphia.