Poetry by Joey Connolly
In honor of the 2026 celebration of the 4th of July I dedicate
these sonnets to the men and women, civilian and military,
who have kept democracy protected and alive from the
American Revolutionary War leading to Independence.
Subsequently to today our 2026 4th of July celebration.
“He is courageous who endures and fears the right thing,
for the right motive, in the right way, and at the right times.”
– Greek philosopher Aristotle (b. 384 B.C. – d. 322 B.C.)
DIAMONDS OF COURAGE LIVE WITHIN US
Diamonds of Courage have many shining facets
They contain various virtues in different phases
They shun all lies trying to be honest as it gets
The Truth may hurt but showing Courage amazes
As scales of Justice weigh and balance information
Honesty with yourself summons Courage to fight
Facets of Kindness and Patience help the situation
Showing Empathy for those who are suffering is right
Humility helps when your lack of Courage is failing
Learn the Joy of winning and the Sorrow of defeat
In stormy and turbulent seas of life we are all sailing
Where waves and currents of emotional Courage meet
Diamonds of Courage shine light in many directions
Use them to find the Courage of your own convictions.
WE TAKE STEPS TOWARDS COURAGE
Aristotle said, “You will never do anything in this world without
courage. It is the greatest quality of mind next to honor.”
From those first shaky steps when learning to walk
toddlers show Courage
From taking their first steps when landing on the moon
astronauts show Courage
Marine scientists descending into the deep dark seas
of the Mariana Trench show Courage
Caring for loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s
families show Courage
Spinal injury paralysis victims who won’t walk again
show Courage every day
Amputees, cancer survivors, and school bus drivers
show courage every day
Stephen Hawking immobile, speechless, in a wheelchair
had the courage to study the universe!
Standing up for what you believe in, family, and country
shows your Courage
Have the Courage to say I’m Proud to be me.
“In whatever arena of life one may meet the challenge of courage,
whatever may be the sacrifices he faces if he follows his conscience —
the loss of his friends, his fortune, his contentment, even the
esteem of his fellow men — each man must decide for himself the
course he will follow.”
– POTUS 35, John F. Kennedy.
INDEPENDENCE: WHERE DID IT SEND US – July 2019
Each 4th of July we celebrate independence, where did it send us
after the Revolutionary War into a terrible bloody tragic Civil War
then into two World Wars with US military might to defend us
fighting against Japanese Imperialism, German Nazis, and more
Independence sent us on one of the world’s great political journeys
towards freedom for all mankind from dictatorship and from tyranny
it sent us U.S. citizens in that direction but dictators still abound
and tyrants (both petty and grandiose) still exist in the world around
“What hath God wrought?” used by S.F.B. Morse telegraph inventor
flash forward on the cyber highway with a Tweeter leader at our center
our 45th President came into office through the electoral college. We
now know about the US Constitution he has a serious lack of knowledge
Legislative independence sends US Congress members and reporters
to examine the ‘horror’ of children in detention on the Mexican border.
A final thought from our 16th POTUS, Abraham Lincoln:
“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not themselves.”
Joey “Pepe Batbon” Connolly is a retired educator who taught in the CNMI, NOLA, and LVNV. He is the Poet Laureate of Tinian and enjoys stargazing.
