everyone writes songs about
the fourth of july
independence is a good place
to lie
to hide
a good day to come alive
i was born and then i died
on the fourth of july
camera shy
so i can’t smile
skin does shed
why can’t denial?
and i was born into
the wildest fire
but to die from it
would be to retire
i was born and i died
on the fourth of july
inspiration broke me into two
it was the only thing
i got from you
seconds gone are
seconds lost
and the decision came from the
trusty “quarter toss”
it’s a loss when only one lies
i was born and i died
on the fourth of july
aching neck and aging bones
crawl inside myself
to be alone
summer’s passed, the chill
comes to life
the answers to age old questions are the
only things that will suffice
and i remain without
tears to cry
i died and was reborn
on the fourth of july
©2001 josephine b. ciliento