Politics and Poetry

Villanelle the Vote

The people are crying out — are you listening?

Photo by Julius Drost on Unsplash

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…