With a career at the Pentagon, Earl Sullivan spent many Fourth of July’s watching in awe the fireworks. Here he recalls the spectacular view from a high rise in Crystal City, Va., just across the river from Washington, D.C., where the fireworks were displayed.

While crowds reveled down below,

I, more sedate, with high rise view,

Watched soaring fireworks flash and flare,

Spilling magic everywhere.

Unexpectedly, waves washing

From heaven’s sea of light and color,

Drenched the plain, drab stranger watching

From the roof of the next tower.

Instantly transformed, she 
sat —

A queen in garments seamed with light,

Beneath a pyrotechnic crown

Of stars circling in the night.

But when she leaned on clearing sky,

The crown burned down; she dropped from sight;

Forever gone, yet often I

Remember her when fireworks fly.