I cannot recall a time I wrote about politics, but as I started my day today, a poem about just that started forming in my mind. I finished it and decided to take the plunge and post it. I do this with some trepidation. It is a poem containing some of my views and opinions. Just like everyone else, I’m entitled to have them. But, it seems that when I express my opinion, about politics (rarely), education, or other socially relevant topics (super bowl advertisements come to mind), I often find myself called on the carpet or having to justify my views or bluntly told that I am wrong. I do not do this to others who express themselves, so naturally, I do not expect it to happen to me. But, often it does. In all honesty, I’m perplexed by it. I tell you this, dear reader, because I don’t expect a retort or even support for my poem today. While I love comments, and will respond to you in time, I will not engage in argumentation over this subject.
Writing, to be effective, is largely about the expression of feeling, opinion, and observation. All of those things are based on life experience. All of our life experiences are unique to each of us as individuals. Still, some feel the need to criticize or argue about what is revealed in writing. This happened to me years ago when I posted an opinion about our talented and gifted system in our school district. All of what I wrote was based on my own experience. Still, since it did not fall in line with what others felt, I was called to defend AND explain my position. It happened in my first six months of daily blogging (2017) and I’ve been hesitant about truly expressing myself since.
One of our crowning achievements in the United States is the ability to freely express ourselves. If that expression is done politely and maturely, it should be accepted as that person’s view and not criticized. This does not mean one has to agree with the stated position. It just means we are all free to have one and express it.
What follows is today’s poem. It is a rare outing of my opinion and based on my life experience.
2021: A Poem of Cautious Optimism
Ordinarily,
I do not write about politics or the unending din,
So, you might think my candidate did not win.
This is not so;
I voted for Joe.
But, like the four years before,
I have concerns, and more.
A pandemic mismanaged,
Places us at a great disadvantage.
More waste produced
From masks and styrofoam let loose,
Off of our face and out of our hands,
We once again, filled oceans and lands.
Rejoining the agreement to curb climate change is a must,
But the time lost might be enough to lead to a bust.
The Earth’s temperature is rising in more ways than one,
Coming together is the only way to assure this is undone.
And, that’s not all of the concerns I can lend.
Large debt will be larger as there are plans to spend.
To make free what was paid by millions before,
Like college, and medicine, and much, much more,
Can have an devaluing effect for some in our midst,
For if you do not pay, you might not have a valuing gist.
A middle ground for Joe, will restore the sheen,
Not left or right, but somewhere in between.
Only time will tell,
I sincerely hope that Joe does swell.
For he has my respect, and others, too.
And, that is more than I can say for you know who.
© Carol Labuzzetta, 2021
The Apples in My Orchard 
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