I enter, as on pilgrimage.
The altar cloths are red, white, and blue
the ushers are the women
who have been running these things
who have been running everything
since before I was born.
I’m handed the ballot like a scroll
because the questions seem that important —
ancient and modern
of what my God and country ask of me: who?
Who — for commissioner, mayor, president —
who — for district 8, ward 7, school board —
who — will do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly?
I make my mark
with at least a shred of hope
that something good will come from this.
And regardless, I remember:
the world won’t be destroyed, entirely, by this;
the world won’t be saved, entirely, by this.
Marking my vote is like kneeling in prayer
because neither will accomplish anything right away —
but the purpose of both is to remind me
of my deepest hope
for the world that I’m trying to help create.
So I rise from prayer, and turn in my ballot
and remember the who is me,
and us, and we the people —
and again I set to the task that is mine:
justice, mercy, humble service
in my small corner of the world.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. Luke Stevens-Royer
Thank you Luke for another thoughtful poem. Your words always reach me, and many times express beautifully what I can’t put into words.
Thank you, Rev. Luke Stevens-Royer, for this beautiful poem that so eloquently describes the act of voting and puts it into perspective.
What a great poem!
I voted in person early for first time and it still held that lump in the throat feeling when I walked out! You captured the privilege perfectly… lest we forget!
Thank you!!
Thank you for your thoughtful, insightful poem. I need to read and reread your poem often to remind me that during this time of divisiveness, anger, racism, and hatred, it is really up to me to go out in the world and make my voice heard. You concluded your poem beautifully. Change will occur if we strive for “justice, mercy, humble service.” Congratulations.
I will be revisiting this thoughtful and empowering poem often. Your words, Luke, are so meaningful beyond that “official ballot.” As we move on, may we each do our part in creating a world where justice, service to others, and compassion prevail.
Wow Luke, Thank you.
Thoughtful words!!!
Thank you for this, Luke. Your words are always very moving and your poem speaks volumes. I may need to reread it every day, as a reminder of my purpose at this point-in-time, as our future unfolds.
Beautiful! Thanks for that piece of quiet and solace in this wild world of anger and accusation.
Luke, that poem is just what we need right now. It is simple, touching, true and heartfelt. Thank you one more time for one more of the many eloquent gifts you have given us.
This is beautiful, Rev. Stevens-Royer. Thank you.