belated 4th

it rained to smell like wet asphalt // green smells magnified
a polypropylene blue dvd case lay empty facing sky on grass
accentuated by droplets of rainwater
near atsugi airbase

it rained too much for fireworks
so the navy put them away
but didn't stop doing flight ops
for the 4th of july

i stood outside the 711 & ate a hotdog off a stick
later i read some angry anti 4th poetry
but...
i have the red white expat blues

independence is not synonymous with freedom
imperialistic rivers still have a strong undercurrent
pulling pulling

& america yer a manifestation of cultural appropriation
nothing is inherently unique about you or american
unless yer lookin down at the blood on yer hands
but...
i have the red white expat blues
and i keep writing love letters to you...