Independence Day

We galloped into the waves, fearless of any inhibition,

Playing midgets in the sea, floating aimlessly,

Laughing for laughing's sake. Sunshine

exhausting our eyes, until evening shadows cast.

The same blood flowed through all our veins. 

We were connected then. Perfection in breathlessness

In your company running in circles on the shoreline.

The freeway was a traffic jam of flashing lights

on cars and explosions in the sky. New Port Avenue was 

plastered in marshmellows and crazy people. 

I got hit by one, by a marshmellow I mean. 

Men sipping slow drags off long joints, thick smoke. 

Sloppy drunks pounding their tattooed fists on hot dog stands.

I grabbed some Mexican food to go among the chaos

stuffing my face while memorizing their madness. 

Our faces devoid of grins, heads whirling with curses,

Then a tall skinny boy-man skipped down the street stopping, 

foot midair, "Why are you all so angry? You need a drink!" 

"I'm not angry!" Denied, I lied. "Maybe you're not, but

Come with me to the barmobile! For smiles and happiness!" 

He skipped away to the liquor store on the corner.

I passed by him later, poor fool, long arms flung 

passed out on the curb of Newport Avenue.

Smashed marshmellows to rest his dreaming head.