Fireworks and life-
boy aren't they similar?
People spend a **** ton of money on fireworks,
the week of the 4th.
But if you really think about it,
life is the same way.
In life,
we spend money to make ourselves excited to live,
we eat a crap ton of food-
because hello, we ARE American's for Christ's sake.
But at the end of the night,
the fireworks blow up and die
until you set up the others.
And that's just like life...
That's where it is most similar
because you pump yourself full of food,
and medication, and water...
but in the end, you're just gonna die.
But
as we live our lives,
we are as beautiful and loud
as the fireworks above.
Because our lives are the most beautiful
thing to ever walk this very Earth.
Fireworks and life-
both beautiful AND destructive.

I'm good.

I’m in a good place.
Friends the next room over,
a few streets down.
Living a life with
those I love all around.

Listening to their grace,
imagining you in this space.
I could almost burn.

I know you didn’t choose your face,
though it makes this a difficult race.
Your kisses I can’t unlearn.

Bring the flood.
The hours, days, months, years,
the unquantifiable tears.
Squeezing in self-discourse when I can,
logic and hope crammed between fears.

Another dud.
A grand plan disguised
as a firecracker, prized,
one promising an explosion,
lightning bolts etched on the sides.

Though there was never a detonation.
You cut the fuse short
or maybe I never lit it.
Maybe I’m like Rogue,
absorbed that firework’s nature
and can’t quit it

My veins are gunpowder.
My heart the wick.
Thoughts of you the flame
and I’m praying they don’t stick.

My mind is racing with water
in an old fashioned wood bucket,
assembly line style carrying reason.
Though my worst fears I can hardly stomach.

I’m working my synapses as fast as they’ll churn,
but like every western movie ever filmed

the water gets here too late.

I stand watching myself burn.

SSSSSSSS!!
My heart was a firecracker
CRACKLE!!!
And you had lit my fuse
ZWINNGG!!!
Foolishly, I stepped too close to the sparks
KABOOM!!!
And then I was blown apart by your flame

Short, quick bursts thrum through the night, punctuated by longer, deeper blasts that shiver all the way down to my toes. The steamy July air crackles with energy and excitement as anticipation of the grand finale hums through every nerve ending.  The blasts come closer and closer together, until at last a glorious explosion of shuddering brilliance illuminates all, leaving us shaking and filled with breathless wonder.

And then we decide to go watch the fireworks.

Kathump, kathump,
boom, boom, flash,
spider cascade,
purple crash,
rumbling thunder,
crescendo zoom,
kathump, kathump,
boom, flash, boom,
kathump, kathump,
boom, boom, burst,
flowered fracture,
silver surge,
Oh, concussion
Patriot's tune,
kathump, kathump,
boom, burst, boom,
kathump, kathump,
boom, boom, blaze,
gold explosions,
glowing gaze:
Song of Freedom
in smoky haze,
kathump, kathump,
boom, boom, blaze.

For I do not want us to be
Just like fireworks display to me
Beautiful in a moment
Then forever gone.

Explosions in the Sky
bringing renewed hope
for our humanity