By Marguerite Jill Dye
I never knew I craved normalcy
To such an extent, to such a degree.
But suddenly, I’m finding myself
Heaving sigh after sigh of needed relief.
Your calm, steady voice, and healing words,
Spoken directly from your heart,
Soothe my soul, calm my nerves,
Alleviate headaches and regulate my heart rate.
I never knew I craved normalcy
To such an extent, to such a degree.
You give me hope, Joe, that we will survive
Covid-19 and Constitutional crisis.
If only you could have come sooner, Joe.
How many lives could you have saved?
But Jan. 20 is better than never
And I’m grateful you are well on your way.
I never knew I craved normalcy
To such an extent, to such a degree.
With a simple face change on screen after screen,
I’ll no longer feel the need to scream.
You’re restoring my faith in humanity, Joe.
Your kindness, compassion, inclusion, and caring
Are replacing the bitterness, anger, and hatred
That has spewed forth day after day,
Assaulting serenity, sensitivity, sanity,
Integrity, decency, and our democracy.
I’m decompressing with sighs of relief
That can be heard across the room.
The stress and exhaustion have left me limp.
But your arrival on the scene
Is the remedy to overcome the despair and
Hopelessness that I have felt.
I crave a leader who lifts us up,
Who doesn’t degrade us or negate us,
Who keeps us safe from pandemics and wars,
With a level head, science, and sound advisors.
I crave a leader who respects human rights,
Who strengthens families and unites them,
Who reconstructs, does not deconstruct,
Our democratic building blocks.
I crave a leader who speaks the truth,
Comprehends Climate Change, protects the Earth,
And serves all the people he represents,
Not only himself and the top 1%.
I seek a team that raises the bar and
Leads us to a sustainable future.
I seek a team that defends civil rights,
Equal opportunity and living wages.
I seek a team that values education and
Helps students realize their potential.
With you as our leader, we can work together
To feed the hungry, house the homeless,
Provide safety, security, liberty, justice,
And healthcare for all Americans.
I believe you’re the man for the job, Joe,
And with Kamala Harris by your side,
You’re ushering in a bright new day
For minorities and women.
Your steadfastness and determination,
Deep inner peace and cooperative nature.
Allow you to lead by example through
Your good deeds and honest words.
Show us your vision and teach us to heal
Our ailing Nation and suffering world.
I firmly believe it can be done, Joe,
Under your guidance and leadership.
With so many resources on our Earth
Let’s strategize, prioritize, and
Roll up our sleeves to meet the needs of
Humanities’ poor and oppressed.
I realize it may take some time
But whatever it takes, it will be worthwhile.
Now is the time to redefine
Who we are and what we stand for.
So our Nation may again inspire
And serve the world as a beacon of hope,
Leading ethically and responsibly
From our shining City upon a Hill.
Marguerite Jill Dye is a poet from Killington.
