by W. Luther Jett
Let there be no
celebration this time.
I will drape our Declaration
with sombre crepe—No flags
will line my avenues.
My music will not be beaten brass,
but the song of steel wheel
on steel rail—a wail high
as snow-locked peaks
in that place where the sun
lies down at last to rest.
Give me fireflies over fireworks.
Give me stars that refuse to fall.
Do not pray for me for I
am not your prey.
W. Luther Jett is a native of Montgomery County, Maryland and a retired special educator. His poetry has been published in numerous journals, as well as several anthologies. Luther is the author of six poetry chapbooks— his most recent is The Colour Wars, (Kelsay Books, 2024). His full-length collection, Flying to America was released by Broadstone Books in 2024. Luther is the facilitator of a monthly virtual open mike sponsored by the Hyattstown Mill Arts Project in Hyattstown, Maryland. He also coordinates two monthly on-line poetry critique workshops. Luther is also a singer-songwriter who performs sporadically in wine-bars and cafes. He has released two singles and is in the process of recording an album of original material.