Elections

I've been waiting for the president to heal us
instead of hiding behind words
we whisper in stores, gas stations, hospitals
and cling to promises
broken like smooth glass we find on the beach
at low tide
and we are all supposed to forget
that we have been failed before.
Collectively unlearn what we were taught as the truth.

Some of us do.

A scattering sees the glossy advertisements
of our own demise
and we point it out
and whisper new words,
like courage
and facts.

Heal us.
We are broken
and without hope.