Reflections on this Day the 4th

They say that all an old man has left is his memories
Perhaps the illusions that he was ever free
The love lost that he shared so sweetly
Where are all those who were once family?

Beating myself up everyday
There doesn't seem to be another way
Like trying to keep the wolves at bay
Those dark silent hours when I pray,

Was life really just a colorful dream?
Always battling for your self esteem
Like hearing the trickle of a clear running stream
She looked so good in a pair of jeans,

All those holidays spent alone
No one on the other end of the telephone
Vague recollections of my home
Oh my, how the mind can roam,

You think this could never happen when you're young
Why was she always so high strung?
Am I destined to be a hero unsung?
Bitter taste of tears on my tongue,

It's fourth of July time to celebrate
The accomplishments of patriots so great
Today we/re plagued by bitterness and hate
The growing power of an out of control state,

When I was a child watching fireworks with such wonder
Firecrackers going off with such thunder
Too young to foresee the coming heartbreak and marriage gone asunder
Just the barbeques and a little boy's hunger,

Guess I should celebrate the greatness of the past
Question is how long will it last?
Human nature can disrupt harmony pretty fast
As though some curse has been cast,

So we pray to God for our asylum from world insanity
Hoping this nation will remain peaceful as it should be
Despite the dark forces working against you and me
How long will we remain free or was it just absurdity?

Yes I guess there are things worse than being lonely
If things had been a bit different only
As if it was all designed by decree
I do refuse to go through life bitterly,

Without love it seems pointless can't you see?
Sending out this message in a bottle to the sea
As I watch reflections of myself indifferently
Knowing I was too foolish to have planned masterfully.