Birthdays and Anniversaries

Today’s is 6/26/26, which happens to be my birthday! This year is also the 250th anniversary of the United States of America’s founding as a nation. I was recently asked by my friend and mentor, former St. Charles Writers group facilitator Rick Holinger, to write a short birthday wish for his most recent Kane County Chronicle column. The only requirement was that it needed to be 50 words or less, and so I tasked myself to write a 13-line, exactly 50-word poem, which is below. For my birthday and America’s semiquincentennial, I wish for peace and prosperity for all.

FOR AMERICA’S 250

For America’s 250,
I’ll write in verse
that’s free. Daughter
of an immigrant, citizen
just like you may be.
Born or bred, we’re here to live
the dream, from sea to sea
all deserve—our right guaranteed—
sweet Liberty.
How many more anniversaries
until this land’s
beautiful promise
is achieved?

                        —Lisa L. Macaione

Read Rick’s full column here: Holinger: A Memorial Day ceremony rings true a birthday wish.