Robinson Escapes to the Cape for Independence Day

O little-know facts—how Robinson attracts them! Pilgrims rocked ashore here, before Plymouth Rock. The word scrimshaw is of unknown origin. The stock name of the archaic two-lane main road? Route 6A. Really it’s Old King’s Highway. Some facts are useless: the paper bag was invented in Dennis. Some facts are not: Wellfleet’s town clock sings out ship’s time. 19 th century Americans observed only three holidays. The Fourth of July was one. O witty aperçus—how Robinson accrues them! Good food is self-made, like a good millionaire. Don’t just do something. Stand there. It’s got to be the weekend somewhere. Robinson is crisp & perspicuous. His wife stands next to him on the sand. Democracy could be a lot more sexy if . . . this one fades in the rockets’ red glare. Ann blushes, runs a hand through his hair. Robinson looks up, concussed. Fireworks percuss.