Writing: Sparkler
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.
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.
The Voice
November 2025
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