30/30 The Not So Grand Finale

The children gaze skyward

Wide-eyed and covering their ears

Their wonder is genuine

Their appreciation coming in squeals and shudders

They are naive

Thinking each burst is the best one yet

The adults watch them

Dancing on spent sparklers

Flinching with each delayed boom

Delighting in the crackles and bright fireflies

Duller than we remember

But to them, there could be nothing more brilliant

We are creating their memories

Watching their childhood take shape

Their mirth is the true entertainment here

Together awaiting each barrage

Perk up at false starts

Glance hopefully at watches

With every pregnant pause

We hold hands

Savoring the faces of our children

They don't yet know the word finale

Glance sideways in the glow, perplexed

Ask why the neighbors depart early

No concept of traffic and timing

Never wondering how much this production all cost

They don't care about such trivia

While the sky is erupting above

This show is for them

Each burst jolts their sternum

They fear the low aerials

Watch lingering comets of perchlorate fall

Wonder if they could catch one

Whether it would burn

We assure them they are safe

Just in case, they cover their heads with their hands

It is past their bedtime

The grand finale explodes

Small jaws drop

Speechless for the first time all night

Adult shoulders shrug

Smiling and relieved

Dreading the inevitable gridlock of exodus

We exchange knowing glances

We are here for our children

As the finale dims

The last echo fades

The children squeal and applaud

We feign amazement for their benefit

Head for the parking lot

Buckle them tight

We will do this again next year

We promise

It is our tradition

It has always been this way

We will always have a fine time at the fireworks

None the less

They will never be as good as our memory