In my family

We have a little joke

About a funny statement

My dad once spoke

In the summer heat

On Independence Day

My dad said his truth

In his own quiet way

“Well, that’s it,”

He said with a straight face

His now-famous words

He cannot erase

“It’s 4^th of July,

Summer’s officially OVER!”

His words came out

Without changing composure

Now every year since

We wait to hear Dad say,

“It’s the end of summer!

Happy Independence Day!”