Poems from John Hay Poet Society
The President Elect's Private Thoughts the Morning
After the Election
(Written before the election regardless who won)
Well now I will be the leader of the free world, sweet.
You know, those running for office are born to compete.
We are a country much divided, that point is clear,
but it is the hatred and anger, spreading wildly, I fear.
Do twin towers have to violently fall
for patriotism to answer once again the call?
How do I bring all this divisiveness together
to free our nation from this restraining tether?
Either red or blue, it is all up to you,
I’ll try my best but see what you all can do
to unite this land as only freedom can.
This is the reason for president I ran.
Dianalee Velie, Newbury NH
A Pause After the Fray
Hear the voice of our great nation,
heal our country and her soul,
Breathe the simple quietude of ending
after months of promises on the road.
Suddenly it’s over
finally time to mend,
No more franchise platitudes
time to begin again.
Hear the voice of all Americans
those disadvantaged, those well off,
Leverage the power that’s been awarded
fix what’s broken, leave what’s not.
David Balford, New London NH
Does it Matter
I’m just another baby boomer
Growing Old,
Waking up at 4 and sleeping till 8.
Stretch, drink coffee and yawn
before taking the dog out.
Elvis is a distant memory,
the Beatles still my fav.
Protest days exhausted,
I sigh at trumperica partly in disbelief
while throwing my arms up
as I view cemeteries passing out my passenger window.
Does it matter?
Doug Windsor, Georges Mills NH
The Morning After
Keep the inauguration simple,
Keep it short,
Keep it peaceful.
Tom Keegan, Bristol NH
Day-After-Elections Reflections of the President-Elect
I know my people, my people know me.
I know inside me how most of them feel.
The world was pooh-poohing them, that’s what I see.
I know my people, my people know me.
I’ve got their bellyaches down to a tee:
they’ll trade-in art, for the art of the deal.
I know my people, my people know me—
The world was pooh-poohing them, that’s what I see.
I’m the new Ship of State, its rising North Star,
a looming Colossus, bestriding the earth.
Will I be greater than monarchs and czars?
I’m the new Ship of State, its rising North Star.
Will my people follow me, will we go far?
I prize their loyalty, that is their worth.
I’m the new Ship of State, its rising North Star.
Will I be wiser than monarchs and czars?
Joan T. Doran, New London NH
What's Right
(Written before the election about an imaginary candidate)
I only want to do what’s right,
change the reasons for your plight.
To help the people live with pride,
in themselves, be their guide.
I’m now the leader of fifty states,
I hope to influence your fates.
Not with a heavy-handed fist,
but with a well thought out list,
Of future laws to improve the lot,
of the ones forever caught,
in the cycle of work and bills.
No, they will not become shills.
I promise to lighten the weight,
carried by the ones who wait.
Patsy Barrett-King, Newport NH
The Morning After
(Not the President-Elect, Unfortunately)
My mind moves across the sky like the gray clouds.
Trees are revealed in their searching fingers as
a cluster fly walks stealthily up the glass.
All is still, inside and out. It’s the morning after.
No color washes through this season of after.
No movement disturbs my unquiet mind.
My only recourse is to show a blank face
like the flat side of the white wall,
the smooth cold tile at my feet,
my words echoing, catching on my teeth.
My face cannot find the right muscles to smile.
So much smiling before.
So many promises.
Just hot air rising into the cold sky.
I’m too tired even to rise, although the sun is up.
The phone is ringing. I reach for it. I’m on automatic
like the coffee pot spewing my morning
into my old familiar mug.
The crow arrows past my window
squawking into the morning.
I will squawk much louder.
Watch me rise.
Jennie Pollard, Windsor VT
The Private Thoughts of the President Elect the Morning After the Election
I leave to political pundits
Editorial comments
Journalists
Talk show hosts
Step into my own thoughts
Sadness
Lethargy
Disappointment
Feel exhaustion from
Propaganda bombardment
Info-raging
Rudeness
Misogyny
Chaos
Threats
Revenge
Fear what’s next
Bracing for our fall into
Lies
Anger
Hate
Shake off fright
Dig into the work of community
Embrace our blue planet
As she convulses with
Storms
Floods
Drought
Fire
Vow to cultivate
Joy
Kindness
Civil conversation
Humanity
Mindful of our present reality
Resist
Kathleen Skinner Shulman, New London NH