A Place Beyond All Sides

We all shape the world

to fit our needs

but when we fall, we fall

we all, we all will bleed.

Hide in your screen's dim light

through a wire you channel a fight

anxious fingers shape brittle words

just repeat what you've already heard.

A man with an eye on what he hates

another victim in his oppressive state

Our leaders simply can't be trusted

Your razor sharp thinking has rusted.

Pick the facts you see as ripe

low hanging fruit feels so right

sweetness hides what's rotten

choking on things forgotten.

Why set up in a false dichotomy

put up a wall between you and me?

Rather, recall a place beyond all sides

as deep as an ocean, just as wide.

Voting on the block

Yesterday morning, I walked up to the dance studio to vote at about ten of seven.

My neighbor Lois, the matriarch of the block and perennial polling place volunteer, hugged me on the way in.

I closed the curtain, voted for Obama, and headed out.

My neighbor Wendy, ubermom and dutiful school employee, high-fived me on the way out.

What a way to start a day that ended as we hoped it would!