Welcome to Poetry Friday!
When I realized that Friday was July 3, I decided to pull up a poem I wrote some months ago while working on poems about light. I remember carefully lighting sparklers with my kids when they were small and seeing the wonder in their eyes. But I worried about the safety aspect of posting a poem about kids and sparklers. My kids had just as much fun with glow sticks, so I revised it.
The poem is in the form of a Choka – the odd numbered lines have 5 syllables, and the even numbered lines have 7 syllables. The poem ends with two 7 syllable lines.
On the Fourth of July
After the parade,
corn on the cob, hot dogs, and
Mom’s sweet apple pie,
my brother and I wrap our
fists around glow sticks.
They bend. Snap! Releasing the
energy of light,
our eyes radiating joy—
summer’s twilight fiesta!
Draft, 2026RoseCappelli
I hope all of you who celebrate the 4th have a safe and joyous celebration! This year is a tough one with so many worrisome things happening in our country. But hopefully we can find the light that will help see us through another 250 years.
Michelle has the roundup today with a powerful post filled with art, song, and rousing words at More Art 4 All. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness.
Imagine the Possibilities 
“Summer’s twilight fiesta!” What a fun poem! Happy fourth!
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Thank you for helping resurface the memory of the magic of playing with sparklers. Sparklers and firecrackers…not safe at all, so luckily I only have good memories!
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I love the encouragement to look for the light, Rose. Yes.
Thank you!
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Ah, thanks for conjuring those memories of my wide-eyed girls when they were little and so delightfully astonished by all things crackling and shiny! :)
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Rose, I love the switch to glowsticks which do have their own kind of magic, and without the danger of sparklers. I’ve seen a few communities lately replacing fireworks with drone shows…things do change! xo
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Love the “eyes radiating joy” eyes radiating joy intertwined with the glow sticks, Rose! Something about sparkle at night makes happy memories. Happy Fourth!
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not sure why the repeat – sorry!
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Rose, I love the last line! When I’ve been twilight kayaking this summer, they’ve given us glow sticks to put on our life jackets. So fun!
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Rose, we had our summer’s twilight fiesta with the family last night. The little grandgirls decided to sing their song at the dinner table while one of candles were lit. Happy Birthday America flowed just like the 3-year-old practiced in the afternoon. I gave their Daddy the safe firecrackers to use on the 4th of July. Thank you for the memory you shared and the wonderful last line that I am going to use on onother day. Happy Fourth!
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The evening togetherness after the food and fun is so special and memorable. Your poem captured the moment so nicely. Happy 4th!
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I didn’t know this form, and your poem glides effortlessly through it. What heart-warming memories conjured up in the lines. My grandson (4) got to see his first fireworks Friday night in their downtown with Dad, while Mommy and baby sister stayed home. :0)
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Fun illuminated-filled poem, thanks for your sparks of light and hope Rose!
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Classic, and–I think–pretty universally joyful! Although I know people who retreated into dark taverns for jazz on Saturday night, not wishing to encourage You-Know-Who by attending his unpatriotic display down in DC! The Choka works so well here!
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“Twilight Fiesta!” What joy!
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