The Fourth by Melissa McEwen

The men dance with their wives
like they’re head over heels
in love, but it’s the drinking. Boys
with firecrackers that “holy-shit”
and “oh-shit” get off scot-free
because it’s a holiday
and everybody’s easy
and moms act like girls. Tonight
the fireworks will be heard
all the way from downtown,
but sound like they are
right in Aunt Eartha’s backyard
where ‘squitos and flies swarm
amongst us kin and the grill
is still hot and fathers
let young daughters drink
from their booze-filled cups.