Political Weather
Poem marking Election Day 2024
This year it rained hard on our parade here, yet somewhere else the parade marched proud Today, the sun peeks through the clouds, while the trees turn from green to gold-orange Seasons turn in cycles, sometimes rushing in like an early frost, or releasing their grip slowly... We move through the season and across the years, watching the sky and wishing we might guide the weather our way Beating a drum — Dancing in a circle — Shaking a fist at the sky — Blaming the weatherman — Our efforts to stop the storm, or bring needed rain seem futile — yet, don't butterflies' wings make a difference? Nature moves in ways mysterious to our minds, yet part of larger patterns serving a greater whole Keep your heart free of the armor of cynicism — don't let doubt cloud the sunshine of your hope Whether we like it or not, nature makes no mistakes; next time, let's mount a yet more colorful parade.
Author’s Note: This poem was finished today, November 7, 2024. Like anyone, I love seeing a parade celebrate my team’s victory. I do not discount the real and lasting impact of a dreadful storm, a vicious hurricane, an extended drought. Life ever presents us the truth that the only constant is change. When the only thing I can control is myself, what might I nurture to help restore balance within and without? Innocence; hope; compassion; and gratitude for the chance to keep going and compete another day — with a better strategy.
Thank you, big weather provides me a comforting analogy to the election, but maybe because it doesn't feel dangerously stormy at the moment. May we all help each other with sandbags and storm-gear to prepare for when the coming storms hit!