July by John Updike
Bang-bang! Ka-boom!
We celebrate
Our national
Independence date,
The Fourth, with
Firecrackers and
The marching of
The Legion Band.
America:
It makes us think
Of ice-cream cones
And Coke to drink.
The shade is hot.
The little ants
Are busy, but
Poor Fido pants
And Tabby dozes
In a pool
Of fur she sheds
To keep her cool.
—A Child’s Calendar, First Edition (1965)