When the sparks of remembrance start rapidly firing,
from scenes in the old, leather-bound album we're admiring,
grandma's recollections, culled from decades-delayed reflections,
ignite inter-generational, time-traveling incite.
Words, defrosting the faded photographs, foster the stories
frozen in her black-and-white mosaic of memories.
Lest today's textbooks fail to state a historical truth,
a witness to the wonder narrates this tale from her youth:

"... Wild, walloping whitecaps; their rolls frothy and bold,
cresting on cue ... I saw the breakers bow and fold
at her base ... just as Lady's Liberty's face
came into view, and while the brisk breezes blew,
upon the stern, where an impromptu crowd grew,
we were clapping and posing by the surprising
unfolding wingspan ... of The Stars & Stripes rising!"

Yesterday's Europeans
proudly
touched tomorrow's horizon
applauding
the flag, the American flag,
ascending
her aerie in homeport quarters,
perching
above ... American Waters!