Carol A. Hand
On this unseasonably sunny and warm November morn
I prepare to perform a civic and sacred duty
to make the small trek across the street to vote
Photo: Voting Site, November 8, 2016
Pearl earrings in place, my mother’s gift half a century ago
prompting me to listen deeply to the voice of the ancestors’ wisdom
to choose those whose actions demonstrate care for the Earth and her peoples
The necklace my daughter gave me, out of sight next to my heart
Reminding me to be true to the responsibility we carry for our choices
Future generations will be profoundly affected by our actions in this moment
It’s not my right to tell others what to do
Each of us must follow our own hearts and reasoning
I can only offer tobacco and a silent morning prayer for collective awakening and peace
before taking a small but momentous journey, embracing hope along the way
***
Voices from the Margins 
Beautiful written, Carol – the voice of reason and wisdom. Tenderly included the personal details with the larger civic responsibility. May we all never forget to ‘listen deeply to the voice of the ancestors’ wisdom’.
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Thank you for your thoughtful and important comments, Annika. ❤
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Carol, what a wonderful way of putting it. If Tubularsock were writing the same thing it would be so much less poetic and profound.
Because of your words Tubularsock will be setting down his AK47 today and not take it to the voting station and only carry two grenades rather than his regular three.
Thanks Carol.
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Ah, Tubularsock, it’s always good to hear from you. I’m glad to hear that my words reached you in your underground bunker so you could help me greet voting day with a smile, knowing that you have the fate of the “free world” under control. 🙂
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Thank you Carol for being YOU. Tubularsock has stayed clear, after voting, from any news about the outcome of this election only because Tubularsock has already lost. Jill Stein is too reasonable to have a chance of winning. Staying in Tubularsock’s top floor corner office in his underground bunker overlooking Washington, D.C. from Oakland, CA
is by far the best solution. Tubularsock will peek out in a day or two.
The fun part, for Tubularsock, is THERE IS NO HOPE and from those ashes CHANGE WILL HAPPEN. Cheers!
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I agree – neither of the scripted choices is a path to hope, Tube — see you in a few days when you peek out again.
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Thank you Carol for this wise and uplifting contemplation, on this difficult day as the world awaits.
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Thank you for your kind words, Bruce. I hope that compassion and wisdom prevail.
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I like what you have to say as always. I will be staying up late tonight watching the results in the UK.
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Thank you for your kind words, Nelly. It’s fascinating that the world is watching and seems more thoughtfully concerned than people in the US.
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Good luck 😕 The world is holding its breath.
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Thank you, Chris – we do all need a bit of luck with this election…
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As they say – I am afraid that someone will win these elections.
The only thing is true – it is YOUR country and it is YOUR life to live, and YOU can make a difference. YOU will wake up tomorrow morning and make this world a better place. Regardless.
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So true, Inese. We can’t control what others choose to do. We’re only responsible for choosing what we do and how we respond to the world around us. It’s hard, though, when the choices others make put our children and world at serious risk. But as you point out, we still need to rise to the challenges presented to us to continue to work toward a peaceful future in unity with others of like mind around the globe.
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Absolutely, Carol. Thank you for putting this idea in words. I wouldn’t say it better.
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