July Fourth

Independence Day honors freedoms and liberty
when used with discretion and responsibility.

Freedoms of speech and press give all the right to know,
barring libel and slander, it must be apropos.

Freedoms of religion to worship as you choose,
practicing faith-tenets, but others don't abuse.

Freedoms of assembly to plan or deliberate,
not to scheme and conspire, rather conciliate.

Freedoms to bear firearms in defense of your own,
avoiding idle threats, its safety to condone.

Freedoms of expression in art and style or dress,
respecting common mores, placing none in distress.

Freedoms of all feelings, not to punch in the nose;
to emote without action, no stepping on the toes.

Freedoms to do all things, in "pursuit of happiness,"
that don't infringe on the rights those others, too, possess.

Freedoms and independence, our hard won liberty.
Freedom is our treasure but freedom isn't free.