Best Poems Written by J. Patrick

For Election Day 2016

When I think about this year 
and all the stories that we hear
of Clinton's crimes, and Trump's remarks,
and how the media embarks

on efforts to distort the truth –
it makes me want to be the sleuth
who solves the crime, and coins the jest
that puts all questioning to rest.

But alas, it's not to be:
unscathed is the uncertainty
that rules our minds, afflicts our hearts –
yet deeper thoughtfulness imparts.

Perhaps it's how it's meant to be,
this dialectic that we see,
this thesis – anti-thesis dance
which in the end might just enhance

our understanding of our plight.
But is that real? Could it be right?
Could Trump and Clinton be the two
that make the dialectic true?

– on one side the establishment,
with all its ills and crimes,
and on the other Brexit Trump
whose monologue begrimes?

If I could well evaluate
the matter as it stands,
(and be quite sure the end result
was in the voters' hands,)

should I support one of these two?
Or vote for good Jill Stein?
Or maybe not to vote at all?
(I'd happily decline.)

There is no question that the worst
of all is HRC,
and that she must be stopped
(against all probability).

But to stop her, must I
compromise to such extent
that for the loony Donald Trump
my one vote must be spent?

If certainty is what we want,
it's there with Hillary.
Corruption is her certain trait,
and base dishonesty.

With Donald, it's the big unknown,
no telling what he'll do –
if his advisers aren't too bad,
might be a happy coup.

With Clinton it is clear she'll
sink us deeper in the slime.
With Trump, who knows? He might
surprise us in a little time.

So what is my conclusion
after all this pain and doubt?
To vote for Donald J. and
hope that he will bail us out?

I don't see an alternative,
though Jill Stein has my trust.
The reality's unfortunate:
It's Donald Duck or bust.

Copyright © J. Patrick | Year Posted 2016