I Saw Sparks: Danger Packaged And Sold As Light
Fireworks were one of my first introductions to danger. Fireworks are little dangers, neatly packaged and sold for our safe consumption. I grew up very isolated and protected–“sheltered” they call it–but despite all that, the redneck streak in my family is a mile wide, so fireworks were abundant. Every June I’d begin saving up my allowance in order to hoard a tiny, crackling collection of brightly-colored paper and fuses, ready to go up in smoke as soon as the holiday hit. As a homeschooler, it was one of the few times I felt connected to other kids in the neighborhood