Works of Fire

 

Works of Fire

In some hours crescent comets will shoot across the sky for the people expecting them. They will mesmerize in hot colors: steamy white, electric blue, bursting red–even the green will be warm in its yellow after-tones. There will be golden falling stars, chandelier-like glitters that will slowly filter to the ground or drift into smoke.

All the Americans under the sky above the USA will lean their heads back in awe. At least the ones who have come out for the fireworks...Some may park at a safe distance from the launching sites and press their faces against car windows. That's what I would've done as a little girl, anyhow...and now.

The fireworks that stuck to me when I was a kid were down in Albany off a hill. I remember walking blocks downtown  to a grassy spot which was the best place to catch the fireworks (was it in Washington Park?). We would unroll the blanket and then wait. Waiting was part of it–that glorious, dipping your head to watch the stars paint the sky kind of waiting. And soon there it was–that sizzling pop that signaled the works had begun.You could just lay back on the blanket and soak in the celebration, but it was just too juicy to miss any spark so you wanted to sit up even if it meant craning your neck.

Yes, some time this evening lots of people will lose themselves in the mirage of lights, will be impressed or even scared of the cracks in the skies. Fireworks make you brave–you face the crowds and thundering booms just to be part of the magic for a bit.

I will remember that wonder when I go to bed tonight. I will connect with the light of the man-made comets in my memories.

Happy Fourth of July to all that feel it.

Photo: <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/geralt-9301/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1924628">Gerd Altmann</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1924628">Pixabay</a>

Text: Kristen Mastromarchi