Poem: Participatory Democracy

I started out volunteering

for the left wing candidate

I was young and wanted change

stars in my eyes

He was elected

but changed nothing

I asked him why

and he said once elected

he represented everyone

and could not put into place his own policies.

I stopped volunteering for him

light bulbs in my eyes

Years later

I volunteered for the right wing candidate

I had a house and job

knew what I had

had what I knew.

I had learned

fear

He was elected

but changed nothing

I asked him why

and he said once elected

he represented everyone

and could not put into place his own policies.

I stopped volunteering for him

candles in my eyes

The poor get poorer

the air and water get dirtier

I no longer volunteer

I can change nothing

I weep for my lost hope

I weep for my lost soul

darkness in my eyes

darkness for us all

Victor Schwartzman

victors@mts.net