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The Marching Band Played John Philip Sousa

The marching band played John Philip Sousa

My daddy held my hand

Lining the streets elbows to my head

My daddy put me on his shoulders, where I could stand

~

The marching marines stopped in front of us

And in synchrony stomped boots our way

The men sang in perfect harmony

Daddy crossed his heart that day

~

And over head, as the men sang

Bursting here and there

Colors of red, white and blue

In patterns, I’d not seen anywhere

~

Some sounded like rockets

Szshoozing overhead

Some were loud like cannonballs

I covered my ears in dread

~

In amazement, I beheld the lights

Were there angels over me?

Exploding in perfect orderly colors

“Daddy, how do they do that? How can this be?”

~

The choir of men sang a special song

And Daddy started to cry

I didn’t understand why

A father with tears in his eyes

~

“From the Halls of Montezuma

To the shores of Tripoli

We fight our country’s battles

In the air, on land, and sea;

First to fight for right and freedom

And to keep our honor clean;

We are proud to claim the title

Of United States Marine.”

~

Then, above the grandest sights

A little girl had seen

Splitting colors like stars and stripes

The happiest, I’d ever been

~

Lights splashing with the music

Bursting colors with the beat

The patters in my little heart

Thrilling for me, a child of three, to have the very best seat

In the parade

Copyright © Bonnie Jennings | Year Posted 2016

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Francis Osho Date: 6/12/2016 1:21:00 AM i loike it. nostalgia well expressed Login to Reply Bonnie Jennings Date: 6/16/2016 7:15:00 AM Thank you, Francis