From a Distance

By Curtis D. Bennett

On a clear night from space on the 4th of July,

One would see the America sky bursting

In exploding lights of reds, white, and blues,

As across the country the light show

Of fireworks moves slowly,

Marching in time with the darkness.

Below, millions of Americans in turn

Celebrate their national holiday

A gala tribute to wars past,

A testimony to America’s war history.

The world ever slowly, timelessly turns

The darkness creeps dark pacific waters,

Now across China, Asia, vast steppes of Russia,

Over India and now into dusky deserts of the Middle East.

Where another group of Americans

Are gathered in a harsh, alien land

Where the fireworks are lethal,

The rockets red glare is deadly,

And bombs bursting in mid air

Burst also from beside the broken roads

Sending jagged shards of twisted, hot shrapnel

Ripping cruelly through soft flesh and tissue,

Wantonly destroying human life

Without conscience, without rhyme or reason.

Killing young Americans caught in the wrong place,

Who become rapidly dead, instantly and forever

Trapped in war’s unforgiving brutality and horror.

Just a few years earlier,

These same young people

As children, watched in awe and wonder

As fireworks filled the heavens

As they innocently celebrated the 4th of July

Who then could ever have imagined …

The irony of it all …

Go figure.

– Curtis D. Bennett lives in Lawrence.