A Grand American Tradition

Voting day at long last has arrived.
Scrambling through closet,
a cavernous space in accumulation.
In the deepest darkest corner, 
purpose achieved, 
garnering my three by five inch American flag,
glorious yet demure.

This my opportunity to come out of the closet,
unveiled, exposed,
an upstanding silent majority American patriot.

Flag of three colors in one hand,
timeless roll of duct tape in other
the symbol of freedom to be bound, 
respectfully, securely,
to the antenna of my auto.

Such a glorious noble sight, a parade of one,
yet millions in situ
as neighbors shutter their mind blinds
and lock their doors.
I stand in awe.

Engorged excitement, dressed in best suit and tie.
My faded red sixty five Subaru,
now Lincoln Continental morphed in patriotism,
rolls thirty five miles per hour.
No more, no less under rule of law,
this a day of national law compliance as no other.

The voting station strategically positioned adjacent
the county landfill, shimmers in the radiance of liberty,
or perhaps toxic landfill gas.
This a singular psychedelic acid rush vision.

Donald Trump greeted me as I entered the hallowed hall,
remarking, I was no pussy.
I thought he'd be taller,
he bid me entrance.

The Lions Club was hosting a pancake breakfast,
I declined as my stomach was bound in knots of anticipation. 

Hillary Clinton reposed behind the official card table,
smiling her trademark look of resplendent surprise,
a true Duracell Energizer Bunny moment.
Requesting my voter identification,
I offered my newest library card.
She said , “This will do fine!”
then directed to the corner of the round room.
There Mike Pence and Tim Kaine 
held an olive drab
army surplus blanket on high,
securing the area of vote and privacy.

I walked the distance in miles of quaking Jello,
breathless, 
quivering linoleum tiles beneath my feet.
Beaming in political grandeur 
they parted the drapery to the hallowed area within.

There on a table resplendent in national pride
rested two wicker baskets,
one of apples, one of oranges.
I made my predetermined selection
shakily, placed it reverently into
the white porcelain receptacle 
strategically occupying the table center.

Radiating patriotism, eyes aglow, 
I strode proudly as a contributing citizen,
in the land of choice and freedom,
toward the exit door.
Vladimir Putin placed an “I Voted” sticker
on my chest as a medal of honor for all to see and envy.

I drove away,
looking back to savor the moment one last time.
I glimpsed Barrack Obama
pushing a heaping wheelbarrow of fruit
into the landfill for the final tallying of the vote.

A grand American tradition fulfilled.

Robert Gene Stoner Jr ©
10/25/16

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016



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Date: 12/3/2016 8:35:00 AM
Your visuals are too funny! Wouldn't this just make the process more fun - put an orange or apple in the basket. I could see some toughs with their foot in front of the wheelbarrow, "Give it up, Mr. president. Congrats!
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Stoner Jr Avatar
Robert Stoner Jr
Date: 12/4/2016 2:37:00 PM
Thanks for the read Kim and the kind words of support on this effort, much appreciated.
Date: 12/2/2016 11:48:00 AM
Congratulations Robert, well done...
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Stoner Jr Avatar
Robert Stoner Jr
Date: 12/4/2016 2:35:00 PM
Thank you Charlie for the read and visit to praise this piece, much appreciated.
Date: 12/1/2016 10:17:00 PM
Thank you, Mr. Robert Stoner, Jr., for submitting your poem/participating in the contest. Congratulations, too! -- Wesley C.
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Stoner Jr Avatar
Robert Stoner Jr
Date: 12/4/2016 2:36:00 PM
Thanks Space Cadet for the placement and opportunity to explore this muse.
Date: 11/3/2016 3:41:00 PM
WOW, why you don't you tell us how you really feel? Apples and oranges, yes indeed. Imagery is spot on. An extremely intelligent rhetorical social commentary! 7+
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Stoner Jr Avatar
Robert Stoner Jr
Date: 11/3/2016 4:04:00 PM
Thank you Paloma for the read and and supportive critique on this piece. Much appreciated.
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