Four of July by Robert Newton Peck
I just read a lovely book of poetry I have called Celebrating America: A Collection of Poems and Images of the American Spirit. I thought it most appropriate to share this one today.
Four of July
By Robert Newton Peck
We hitched up the mare and we buckled her down,
Piled in the buggy and headed for town.
We got to a spot that was covered with shade.
Somebody shouted, “Here comes the parade!”
Potato sack races and kites on the fly,
A pie-eating contest with blueberry pie.
Baskets of picnics laid out in the park,
Awaiting the fireworks when it got dark.
Skyrockets wounding the heaven we saw,
Gasping the wonder and bursting with awe,
Standing stock still in the crowd and its stare
As white Roman candles would sparkle the air.
That beautiful day was so wonderful big,
That I slept the way home in the back of the rig,
And dreamed of Old Glory against a blue sky.
God surely hallowed the Four of July.
