just before the rocket's red glare

a cloudburst thundered in

& washed out

the sunshine patriots

playing soldier

wooden rifle shadow dance

m80s and roman candles stashed

between shiny reenactment buttons

& the blah blah blah

of a drum major's recruiting pitch

.....

the rain moved on

as quick as it came

the new normal resumed

stage props retooled

for the unexpected

--- e b bortz