Hope

Tears flow freely
Unbidden tears
Unstoppable tears
Tears of joy
Tears of the Spirit

The tears 
I shed
Have been released
By the words of
Michele Obama
Barack Obama
Tim Walz 
And 
Kamala Harris
Amongst others.

Tears built up 
Over years of 
Barely surviving
As a country of freedom
As a democracy
As a kind, loving nation

Evil tried to take hold
Greed burgeoned
Hate unleashed
Freedom was at risk
Our health suffered
Thousands died
Thousands still live
With infirmity
The pandemic
Created strife
Division
Fear, distrust
Our uncertainty was fed
And became fodder
For lies, separation
We could not trust
While we could not touch

Families, communities
 torn apart
By violence
Illness
Difference
Of political ideology

We were 
Pulled back from the brink
But have been merely
Treading water
The voices of compassion,
Love and hope
Were stifled
Out of fear, 
Sadness
And disillusionment

Atrocities became the norm
Worldwide
Humans killing humans
Countries invading neighbors

Voices of hope were
Ridiculed
Bullied
Demeaned 
Nearly silenced

Tears were dammed
Held back 
By protective armor
Drowning
Nearly drowning
Hope, love
And the belief that
Our nation
Would once again
Fly a flag of unity
Of leadership
Of hope
For all peoples
Acceptance 
Of all peoples
Safety 
Of all peoples

Hope has returned.
Permission to hope
And love
And dream
And believe
In equality, kindness
Permission to reach out
Reach out
Embrace
And step forward
In the faith
That the stars and stripes
Of democracy
Will wave proudly
Once again.  
Permission and invitation
Now permeate the air 
Of our great nation. 
May we move forward
As one
with hearts full
of Hope.