On the Fourth

On the Fourth
and all year long
we must never forget
the words on that parchment so long ago
Our prayer of that day
still true here and now
our nation to be true
all to be free,
as our creator intended
free from oppression,
to pursue, happiness to find
within ourselves
and with our God
A vision worthy to uphold
a hope to share with the world
May we never forget
to hold these words in our hearts

July 4, 2008
Declaration of Independence
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH