The Fireworks

By

Laura Boss

On the Fourth of July,

in my tiny apartment

in a hi- rise

perched above the Hudson River on the New Jersey side,

the Macy’s fireworks

exploded like crescendos

of patriotic drum roles

zooming toward my window

where my Bichon howled

and my boyfriend sulked

as inside my bedroom

the tv played Sousa marches

and I thought

“Next year let me watch it alone.”