Writing: Sparkler

This poem by IceGalaxy, age 17, of Virginia, responds to the challenge, The Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." The Declaration of Independence, signed July 4, 1776, states the principles on which the government is based. While not legally binding, it is, as Abraham Lincoln said, “a rebuke and a stumbling-block to tyranny and oppression.” It is a powerful and moving document that has inspired people around the world to stand up for freedom and equality. Read the document in full. Write about it, in light of current events.

Sparkler 

By IceGalaxy

there is peace in the darkness, an 

alluring sense of acceptance in failure 

closed eyes & open eyes both see the same 

but please 

stick out your hand 

& light a sparkler with me. for a moment 

let us revel in the spark of light 

in your hand, in your control; as is mine 

it is with our hope & fire that 

we will light up the night & no firework 

will hold a candle to our hope. let 

this act of patriotism – dancing sparklers 

through the dark midnight sky – show them all 

that we deeply love our country 

& that is why we are fighting so hard 

to preserve the peace & justice promised to us 

249 years ago 

on this day. 

light a sparkler with me & let the 

light illuminate our faces: a trail of

mascara down your left cheek & a trail of

eyeliner down my right cheek, smudged 

by tears of pain & worry laced with

joy & hope. in a world where fear is dominant

& expected of everyone, the most rebellious 

thing that one can ever do is

hope

with a sparkler in their hand

creating their own light.