Election Eve 2016

{This is the first post in my series Sixty Days.  It is now sixty days before our presidential election, and I thought I might take a trip down memory lane in the next few weeks, with poems, stories and blogposts I have written during the Trump Presidency.  Most of them were influenced by current events at the time, and so will serve as a reminder of what these years have been like.  This one is set on the night before Election Day, 2016, and was written at about that time.  I recall hearing a commentator use the phrase, “I weep for the nation and the world,” and the poem grew from there.  Thanks for reading!}

I weep for the nation and the world.

For what will come Election Night?

A white-hot flame.  Dumb lava, bright,

Will burn away our every right;

Will blow up government, and despite

All pride, consume our Flag, unfurled.

I weep for the nation and the world.

The choice is clear for all to see:

A queen versus mediocrity;

Bombast versus ways and means;

Experience versus hateful speech.

They say it’s close.  Our fingers curl.

I weep for the nation and the world.

But who’s to blame for this sad state?

Who clutched at the comments, full of hate?

Who broadcast rallies—and “debates”

That failed the promise of the name?

Reporters sat, and knit, and purled.

I weep for the nation and the world.

How must our Allies gauge this breeze,

As slyly smile our enemies?

So do the Mighty fall, and trees

Once grand and great, rot with disease.

Welcome him, our nation’s Leading Churl.

Copyright 2016 Andrea W. LeDew (written 2016)

For another ominous piece, read Monsters and Demons.  See more of this series at Sixty Days.