TO FREEDOM'S BRIGHTEST DAY (4th of July)

Unmetered Quatrains — For the "10 Words I Give" contest … Use the following 10 Words, compose a poem or story: JULY, INDEPENDENCE, BATTLE , FIREWORKS, CANNON , FIRE, GLORY, BLAZE, STALLION, GENERAL

                  "TO FREEDOM'S BRIGHTEST DAY!"                  

Though, America’s long, hard fight for Independence we’d won,

it was declared in Philadelphia, on July 4th, 1776, by only a few,

last shot of the Revolutionary War fought at Yorktown, in 1781,

it was not signed by all our Forefathers, until 1776, on August 2.

General Washington’s force of 17,000, Continental and French,

defeated British Commander Cornwallis there in 1781, October 17.

9,000 surrendered, laid their muskets upon the American bench,

not another battle between them (from that day forth) was seen.

Though, cannon fire was plenty, Washington upon his stallion high

had won our country’s freedom with a cost to life in a blaze of glory,

and today we celebrate those who died by letting amazing fireworks fly,

there’s far too much left (to tell here) of each and every soldier’s story.

Richard W. Jenkins

© 4 July, 2016

HONORABLE MENTION

Winner

Author's Note

Painting: Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, oil on canvas by John Trumbull, 1820.

All critique and suggestions to help my skills improve will be highly welcomed and greatly appreciated! :)

Reviews

[Angelheart1]

This is a very nicely penned Educational piece that you have shared with us Richard.

The content and format makes for an enjoyment read and I wish you well with this contest submission.

Happy 4th to you and yours on this day of celebration. 🎉 Angel😇

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Lady Angel, : )

Your comments and compliment are truly rewarding and inspiring to a hopeful bard.
Thank you for the celebration wish, and I trust your 4th was as exciting and eventful as the rest of the country's.

Your well wish for the contest worked … thanks so very much for that, too! ⁓ Richard

[Angelheart1]

My pleasure Sir, I humbly bow.

[Lee]

it is really cool richard...........enjoyed it a lot...............keep up my bro............

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Lee,
I happily accept your compliment, am pleased you enjoyed this piece so much, and certainly plan to keep going! ⁓ Richard

[Lyn Anderson]

I like this because it is a history lesson in a very delightful and appealing form. It is hard to define the difference between being from a country that fought for their freedom and one that negotiated a peaceful alliance -- but this poem illustrates the emotions of such a difference. My own poem for this contest I did not even attempt to tackle the 4th of July, because I knew it would not come off correctly.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you kindly, KL! : )

Your comments have a ring of truth and understanding that suggests me we're virtually on the same emotional page about how freedom is accomplished, and your compliment gifts a smile of thanks for my poetic efforts.

Hugs 'n blessings! ⁓ Richard

[Wicahpi]

Happy 4th of July, Richard. Thank you for a stunning piece with one of my favorite portraits. If I remember correctly, the actual declaration was agreed upon on July 2nd, which should've been our July 4th; or August 2nd. It works where it is as we celebrate a long weekend (most of the time) anyways. I, too, enjoy the colorful presentation. I'm afraid our fireworks display in my area will be rained out (postponed) unless the weather breaks soon. I hope you and yours are enjoying the celebrations! Wonderful!

[Richard🖌]

Thank you most gratefully and humbly, Wicahpi, for such a fine and thoughtful review to this piece, inspired by your contest, and I am truly honored to be selected as one of your winners.

Yes, the fireworks here were widely and exuberantly celebrated far into the night.
Blessings! ⁓ Richard

[Renée]

10 given words, not an easy undertaking..
I enjoyed all the important events, that led to the signing of our country's beloved document, and to peace in 1781. I love the use of red, white, and blue font, with the given words in contrasting color. A work that any patriot would take to heart , while reading. Cheers to you, on this 4th of July!
Good luck in this contest. ( :

[Richard🖌]

True, Renée,
It does seem that trying to compose a natural poem from someone else's prompt, that HAS to include their wording, poses a certain kind of challenge to my skills — in a sort of wrangling way, but it inspires practice in variety and flexibility, too.
Thanks for liking the color-scheme; it seemed appropriate for the occasion, and thank for the "good luck" wish, too … it worked! : )

Happy smiles to you! ⁓ Richard