Politics and Poetry
Villanelle the Vote
The people are crying out — are you listening?
The lady holds her torch aloft, warm welcome beacon to us all. Her steady message, one of peace, within a world that’s gone berserk, But whispers, “Use your right to vote, lest our democracy should fall.”
Some cower in the shadowed corners; others rise in sunlight’s thrall Where hope, ideals, and wisdom guide us from the fears that darkening, lurk. The lady holds her torch aloft, warm welcome beacon to us all.
The lady welcomes all who yearn, for right and justice to stand tall, In her book is written “freedom,” for young and old, for doctor, clerk – But whispers, “Use your right to vote, lest our democracy should fall.”
Past history’s lessons have been cruel; the canons bring a deathly pall Bonds break, while heartsick mothers cry and distant despots smirk The lady holds her torch aloft, warm welcome beacon to us all
We’ve failed to heed the warning signs, so subtle sometimes, and so small The lady stands her ground and beckons, bids us come to play, to work – But whispers, “Use your right to vote, lest our democracy should fall.”
We stand here, the eleventh hour. Will we listen — heed the call? Will we do our civic duty? Or will we, disaffected, shirk… The lady holds her torch aloft, warm welcome beacon to us all But whispers, “Use your right to vote, lest our democracy should fall.”
As promised, Bob Jasper, the gauntlet is thrown back, to you, in thanks for “inspiring” this:
Who else is courageous enough (or foolish enough) to try a Villanelle? Do read up, before attempting this:
Now that I have talked her into posting her first story on Medium, the whole truth can be told: It was Susan Baker TX who put me up to writing this, several years ago. I’ll let her tell “the rest of the story” should she be so inclined. Just know this: The two of us, together, are trouble. And make it double.
OK, so I dared her first — but it was her taking me up on the dare that then required me to see her challenge and call. I mean, I try to play fair…
Usually.
