Cretan Maineiac (April 29,1961 / Lewiston, ME USA)

I. The Fourth: United We Stand

The Androscoggin unfurled to the left of the dike-
'fish-curing place' the Algonquians called it, (sez
Britannica) - more calmly nearer the bridge.

Flailing canvas capped the bandstand across
the way, a parched breeze creasing the river's surface.
The Sun lurked, winding

down for the day, yielding like an emcee to the
Main Event, sprinkling
confetti upon a family of Loons.

A small girl makes clods of
mulch, harassing
big sister, demanding her 'horsie ride.' One vet

limped by, 'Korea' his cap proudly hailed, stopped to
chat with another, folding his
director's chair for the 'bug-out, ' after

the consultation. Both girls were playing horsey by then,
astride Daddy and the
BK bag. 'Don't crawl! ' Dad ordered. Two older girls

brought their own morning glories. The vets
remained Calm, among
-small-town bodies-
-indoor tans &
-blanched 'goths-
>>>Lilliputians under Brobdingnagian rule<<<

newly reacquainted with UV magic, winter
coats waning slowly amid
ice cream and fried dough,

Freedom celebrated in the smoke-free/chem-free air.

Shadows of past industry lined the Lewiston
side, banners waving ~
~each branch of the
military, the
~~State, and the
~~~Fed.

*you're a grand old flag/ you're a high-flying flag/and forever in peace/ may you ~wave~...*

Showtime:
Exploding shells approximate shooting stars, an
occasional tiny,
harmless comet goes ^pop^. Colors
cheers
subliminal come-'n'-get-its,
bombs-bursting-in-air
Glory &
throbbing in the ear.

-'Look at that! ' said one (several times) .
-'Cost twenty-thousand for this shit? ' asked another.
-'Screw America' declared a recent refugee.

All the stuff we
packed strewn
along the unfurled blanket, &
somebody's got to pee.

'No, no! Go! I'll stay here and guard our Stuff.'

And the
~Flag~
still There.

II. Winter: Divided We Fall (Haiku)

Old-man's hat ~aloft~
blown along the parking lot.
Strangers walk on by.