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.