A New Thought for the 4th of July

"Miss Liberty, at Dawn's First Peep, Awakes the Echoes from Their Sleep"

(Original Postcard from Turn-of-the-19th Century)

It's Friday, July 4th. Happy Independence Day and Poetry Friday. The Inklings are writing poems of protest for our nation’s birthday. They invite other writers to use their voices and their art to make some noise! 

I, like others, believe in freedom, democracy, and the power of the people. Being authentic is essential. Humanity needs to amplify its voice on issues of national concern like the Big Beautiful Bill. Yesterday, I received an email from one of my son's agencies. They are asking  parents and clients to reach out to our legislatures.because the disabled community will be affected by the bill. The goal is to bring parents and clients together to share our concerns that may affect change. 

Collaborative action plans are important for a future-ready world. In classrooms and other educational settings, students work in teams to collaborate with others. They develop goals to reach out to their community as creative thinkers and writers with voice. Will this action shape the future?  Perhaps, but we need to continue supporting students in efforts to learn with vigor, work collaboratively, and develop a spirit of camaraderie and citizenship in this modern-day world that has many flaws.

Ignite the American Spirit

      Authentic voices 

      Make noise as they

      Embark on 

      Roads ahead  

      If freedom devotees

     Commit they will rise

     As responsive Americans ready for

     Next steps:

     Shape outcomes with

     Positive approaches

     Inspire students to

     Reach out with concerns

     Ignite the flame

    To make more noise

     draft CVarsalona, July 4th, 2025

A little push is needed to make legislators understand the needs of all groups.

I will do my part.

***********************

I am late to offer my Poetry Friday blog post but this piece took a great deal of thought. Thank you Mary Lee Hahn, our host this week, for bringing the community together this week. Please read her post, Independence Day Roundup of Protest and Praise for This Complicated Country We Call Home, and other writers' blogs by clicking here. 

Light the Sky

Each year, Nassau county fires up the fireworks to celebrate America's idependence with family and friends. This year was no exception. Throngs of people gathered to view the dazzling display of techno-color lights on Sunday night, July 2, 2017.

Wondrous popping in the sky-

fragmented sparkles dropping by-

fireworks, 

summer's delight!

©CV, 2017

I wondered how Independence Day started and found some interesting facts online. A UK publication shared these facts:

• The first Independence Day celebrations took place on Rhode Island on July 4, 1977 - the one-year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. 
• Thirteen gunshots were fired in a salute, one for each of the original colonies. 

Gloria Estafan's song America is an uplifting song for the Fourth of July.

I was feeling patriotic with red, white, and blue brownies.

Enjoy your 4th of July celebrations!

It's Slice of Life Tuesday and I am joining Two Writing Teachers to celebrate the right to write freely!