In celebration of our nation’s birthday, here is a poem that John McGrath, resident and poetry society member. 

Independence Day

‘Tis  the  fourth  of  July !

A most glorious day

When our country was born

O’er two centuries away.

Then a group of wise men

Bravely met to declare,

We were ready to fight:

Let the British beware.

So they risked all they had

And their very lives too

Because all of them thought

‘Twas  the right thing to do.

I’m sure none of them dreamed

How the land would turn out:

Our bright beacon of light

Turns the whole world about.

Give thanks all you people

For those heroes of  old,

For the lives that we live

And the freedom we hold

~~~John McGrath.

John McGrath’s (left) poem was published in this month’s issue of the 50+Senior News. Leigh Hoffman (right) is president of the Messiah Village Poetry Society.