FIREWORKS



It was July, 1952 or 53 when
I had a date on Independence Day.
Lena had agreed to go with me
To a fireworks display.

I had planned this date
For just the two of us
But when I got to her house
I found there would be eight of us.

Added to our evening out
Was her brother and his wife
And four stair-step kids,
The lights of their life.
Well, life is full of surprises
And nothing could be done.
Perhaps with lots of luck
The evening would still be fun.

In a way I was glad
That we would take his car
For the streetcar was pretty slow
To go a distance very far.

So off we went in his car.
Lena and I were in a trap
With two kids between us
And one on each lap.

Somehow it was decided
When we got to the fireworks site
That only 4 seats would be needed
So I held another kid that night!

The display was worth it all
Except the kids kept crying.
The noise of exploding bombs
Made their fright extremely trying.





I had another date with Lena
Or maybe two or three
But I made sure those were
Just with her and me.

jhs

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