To the editor:

July the Fourth, we will have some grand parades.

America is on the march today.

Though it’s backwards we are marching, I’m afraid,

So many still applaud. Hip, hip, hooray

July the Fourth, we’ll don our hats, our guns;

With a lock step march the rule of law is doomed.

Wave flags at truth, and justice is undone,

The torches light the sky. Hurrah and boom, boom, boom.

July the Fourth, with fireworks tonight,

Marching backward armed with ignorance and fear,

The dissidents locked up and out of sight

As we march backwards, give ourselves three cheers.

We salute; all the old rote slogans we recite.

We sing the words sweet land of liberty.

When the ruckus stops by the dawn’s early light

Oh say is this still America we see?

James Benedict Kobak Jr.

Keene Valley