Fourth of July

Happy Birthday, USA!
It’s time to celebrate.
Let’s eat until we almost burst,
And then refill our plate.

Hot dog contests bring the crowds,
In awe of their techniques;
Backyard chefs tend barbecues
As sweat pours down their cheeks.

Ice-cold beers are stacked on ice
And tables we embellish
With all accoutrements we need
Like mustard, Heinz, and relish.

Corn on cobs and cole slaw, too;
Potato salad, chips,
And veggies to assuage our guilt,
Unless we try the dips.

Watermelon, fruit piled high,
Brownies, cookies, cakes:
Food like this is de rigueur,
No matter what it takes.

Then the fireworks begin:
The dazzle, spark, and noise
Create a patriotic show
Each spectator enjoys.

We rarely think about the war
That helped make us a nation;
Instead we focus on the fact
That we are on vacation.

So let us fire up those grills
And swig our frosty brews,
Remembering the patriots,
So glad they didn’t lose.

For had the Redcoats triumphed,
We’d have quite a different scene:
Not barbecue, but kidney pie
And crumpets with the queen!