So what if we did vote the bad man again?
What if we did ricochet an election
inciting a shockwave of guillotines;
family cutting off family,
friends no longer speaking?
What if I sidestepped a pseudonym 
and claimed I myself did the thing?
Would you hate me? Could I blame you?

Truth is, no. I cannot blame traumatics.
Not when I’ve tried so hard to be heard myself.
I know there’s no shortage of people
clinging to some unbelievably shitty beliefs
and if you need to leave messages unread
or Christmases unattended, by all means
take care of yourself. A lot of people are hurting
right now; they need all the strength we can save.

But be cautious, because the infestation
still thrives, still shares the same country
and midterms will be here before you know it.
I myself believe in a winnable few, who
can be course-corrected with appropriate kindnesses.
You may not sway many, may not sway any, but if we don’t
allow growable spaces for the seeking and learning
then division will only keep the wrong men in power.