July

July is a diplomat

with world-wide passport

Promoting understanding

among the races of man

Using the Sun’s bright glare

and Earth’s glow

to expand the reign of peace

Honoring on 4th and 14th

the mutual freedom of France

and the United States of America

Celebrating with star-spangled skies

red roses, white daisies

and blue forget-me-nots

Lloyd and I celebrated France’s Independence Day in 1982 in Paris. I find our celebrating our mutual independence especially meaningful at this time.

Photos: Lloyd Gundy

I apologize. Someone told me forget-me-nots were the national flower, but now when I check it’s the iris or fleur-de-lis.