The Polling Place

The November skies darken early Citizens walk in To vote Nationwide elections High school gym Opened just for them Voices echo in the large hall Clerks check names and addresses Pointing to names in musty ledgers As lines get longer. The ones I can spot Are the old veterans Who spent their youth at D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, Guadalcanal I say Courage to them Who knew how to be brave At so young an age They walk slowly now Wives often leading You sense that for them Time is running out The hour glass near empty They never bragged all that much To them voting is a right. You can spot the others Waiting on line Veterans of Korea and Viet-Nam They walk a little faster Stand a little taller But time will catch up And the hour glass will reach its mark. The voting is over Discarded papers litter the floor Doors locked Lights turned off As darkness slips into the empty hall. Across town Politicians congratulate The winners Deal are made Promises promised And on this cold night Honest taxpayers turn in bed Knowing that the next workday Always comes early.