Even before I read any of the reports of election-related happenings around the country, I felt depressed, so I am choosing to limit my intake as much as I can. Still, I am troubled. I can remember, after past elections that seemed contentious, but now pale by comparison, hearing people say we were blessed to live in a country where elections were free of violence. I fear we will not be able to say that this year.
fire
the guy running with the torch
is only scary after we have chosen
to cover the ground in gasoline.
it only takes a spark, you know,
and we’ve spent the last few
years making kindling of one
another, laying the ground
work for this scorched earth
of an election, this wildfire—
and soon, all those around . . .
Peace, with all my heart—
Milton
sadly, a prophetic reading of the signs of the times
an eerie and effective appropriation of an old song, Milton. And a sad-but-true description.