*** An amusing Fourth of July poem that celebrates living.
Fourth of July When Life is Simple
Grand Dad used to say, “Life is simple.”I thought silently, “Yeah, when you’re 90.”
Grand Dad used to say, “Life is good.”I asked him if it was good all the time.
Grand Dad used to say, “Life goes up and down.Learn to appreciate it all, even when it doesn’t look good.”
Grand Dad sat on the porch steps, slicing the watermelon.It was The Fourth of July, his favorite holiday.
He pulled out his pocket knife and poked out the large seeds, Throwing them hard to the ground and far away into the grass.
He said, “This is how you handle problems when they come.”We sat in the shade for a while, thinking, and poking the seeds.
Then he put his mouth to the sliced fruit, biting hard into the sugar.He smiled wide and satisfied, as watermelon juice dribbled down his chin.
“And this is how you engage the sweetness in Life.” Grand Dad said.And he took another big bite. And, then, so did I.
Now I knew what Grand Dad knew.Sometimes, Life really is that simple.Denny LyonCopyright 21 June 2010All Rights Reserved
*** With special thanks to nothingprofound, a fellow blogger, a fun guy who posts aphorisms on his blog, Aphorism Of The Day, that tickle my mind, one of from which this poem sprang (Life is simple... 18 June 2010).*** For more Fourth of July posts see also:63 Quotes About Freedom and Liberty: Happy Birthday, America!How Do We Live Freedom and Liberty? Libations Friday - 2 July 2010Fourth of July Fireworks Cartoons - 3 July 2010Dennys Photo Gallery: Fourth of July WatermelonCake Tuesday: Red, White and Blueberry Shortcakes Cake Tuesday: Red, White and Blue Independence Day CakePhoto CreditsFourth of July fireworks at Pismo Beach, California by puliarf @ flickrWatermelon quarter close up by ccharmon @ flickrPink watermelon by Esther Gibbons @ flickrWatermelon keys by Torley @ flickr"Flutter-bye" on watermelon enjoying the sugar by puliarf @ flickrWatermelon slices by moreno0101 @ flickrWatermelon on ice by quinn.anya @ flickrWatermelon seeds by Muffet @ flickrWatermelon on the sky by mfrascella @ flickrEating watermelon with gusto by Jonf729 @ flickr*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:The Social Poets Dennys Global PoliticsThe Soul CalendarVisual InsightsBeautiful Illustrated QuotationsPoems From A Spiritual HeartThe Healing WatersDennys Art SanctuaryRomancing The ChocolateComfort Food From LouisianaUnusual 2 TastyDennys Blog FeedsDennys Funny QuotesOuch Outrageous Obnoxious And Odddenny lyon, Dennys poetry, Fourth of July poems, life poems, spiritual poems, the social poets, art photography, photos of summer, Fourth of July photos, watermelon photos, life poems, Libations Friday, poetry blogs, America poems, social commentary
How Do We Live Freedom and Liberty?
What is Freedom to you and me?Freedom of opinion is a wonder,But is it freedom to lie and bully?Or is it freedom to state the truth,To free imprisoned minds?
What is Liberty to you and me?Liberty is to live Life without restraint,But can it also be lived without consideration?Free will can be used for ill or good,To harm others or give mercy and compassion.
People come together in consensus to form unionsBonding families, cities, states and large countriesWhich decide laws of restraint that can be interpretedTo bully their citizens by the letter of the lawOr bring rectifying justice by the spirit of the law.
As I watch the awesome fireworks exploding in the skyNight has set upon the birthday of America one more year.Hope is bursting high in our common sky of dreams.
One day and one night each year we come together as One,Just like our country’s motto says, “Out of many, one.”
Perhaps, after two hundred years, it’s time to do this every day,Acting as One, in agreed union, for the greater good of all.Denny LyonCopyright 4 July 2010All Rights Reserved*** See more Fourth of July posts:63 Quotes About Freedom and Liberty: Happy Birthday, America!Fourth of July When Life is Simple poem - Libations Friday 25 June 2010Fourth of July Fireworks Cartoons - 3 July 2010Dennys Photo Gallery: Fourth of July WatermelonCake Tuesday: Red, White and Blueberry Shortcakes Cake Tuesday: Red, White and Blue Independence Day CakePhoto CreditsLet Freedom fly by jimbrickett @ flickrMiami beach fireworks by Bob B. Brown @ flickrLady Liberty by David Paul Olmer @ flickrLiberty bell in Philadelphia by Tony the Misfit @ flickrExploding fireworks closeup by Mike_tn @ flickrFreedom is not free by VinothChandar @ flickrPowerful words engraved in stone by ricardo.martin @ flickr*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates! *** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:The Social Poets Dennys Global PoliticsThe Soul CalendarVisual InsightsBeautiful Illustrated QuotationsPoems From A Spiritual HeartThe Healing WatersDennys Art SanctuaryRomancing The ChocolateComfort Food From LouisianaUnusual 2 TastyDennys Blog FeedsDennys Funny QuotesOuch Outrageous Obnoxious And Odd
