the rocket’s red glare

it can be hard to make out

with the rocket’s red glare

and all the rest of it

but there are actual wars

being carefully prepared

and the next booms we hear

may be bombs instead of fireworks

war can be beautiful to behold

the flares so bright and colorful

the clashing of mighty armies and navies

and the blue angels battle the red

but the carnage is real and cannot be reset

for another round of play