The Voter

The plastic card slides into the slot
and his finger records selections,
reflecting opinions
shaped by talking heads on TV.

The voter sighs
while listening to the printer
add his ballot
to the paper strip.

He exits the polling place
with a champion’s swagger,
as if his ballot is greater.

The smile on his face
reflects fulfillment,
like a teacher at day’s end.

But, 
as though he were a child
with no understanding of complex issues,
he feels others inferior—
those unfamiliar with his talking heads.

The next morning his disappointment
overwhelms
when tallies reveal loss
and enemies rejoice.

Friends and family are pushed
into the background,
as grief overcomes
the now despondent voter.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Nicole Avatar
November 12, 2018 at 4:44 PM
Voting loses its value, when the one voting becomes proud- arrogant, even rude. A person cannot make things better, by being better than everyone else. Or at least thinking they are. Our World is filled with negative. And sometimes, it is difficult staying positive. Beautifully expressed and presented. ~ Brandy
Greene Avatar
November 13, 2018 at 7:40 AM
I keep reminding people that in the USA there is more binding us together than pulling us apart. Unfortunately many people feel depressed because of voting outcomes.
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