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 © Gerald Greene | Year Posted 2018
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