FOURTH OF JULY NIGHT 


The little boat at anchor in black water sat murmuring to the tall black sky 
A white sky bomb fizzed on a black line. 
A rocket hissed it's red signature into the west. 
Now a shower of Chinese fire alphabets, 
A cry of flower pots broken in flames, 
A long curve to a purple spray, three violet balloons--- 
Drips of seaweed tangled in gold, shimmering symbols of mixed numbers, 
Tremulous arrangements of cream gold folds of a bride's wedding gown---
A few sky bombs spoke their pieces, then velvet dark. 
The little boat at anchor in black water sat murmuring to the tall black sky. 
( Carl Sandburg )