Inauguration Eve

Today the sky looks dreary
But tomorrow’s sun will melt away the snow
If it doesn’t, we won’t let it show

19th of January
All the bright balloons are ready to fly high
Will they catch in trees or touch the sky?

The mail arrives to meet us
& the carrier, still smiling, gives a wave
What’s the good news in that look she gave?

& the mayor of our block transplanted 2 small trees
Before the ground began to freeze
Looks like they’ll make it in...one...piece

Inauguration Eve
One President arrives & one must leave
Is it a reason to believe
A chance to start again
Or just the same old knock-down-drag-out
fight among good friends
The battle never ends

There’ll be motorcades, parades
Excited crowds, a few concrete blockades
(Stay back from the fence, it's intense)
Watchful agents alert in suits & shades

There might even be a poem
We can head down to D.C. or watch from home
(It's safer by far from afar)
Check out the Capitol’s neoclassic dome
(under guard by the National Guard)

We don’t need bombs & tanks
Just a fire pit & a few beers to give thanks
(& a mask, not too much to ask)
That we made it despite the kooks & cranks

& the ten-year-old who talks to no one we can see
Is curtsying quite carefully
Imagining she’s roy-al-ty

Inauguration Eve
Processions, parties, oaths, is it naive
To think tomorrow’s a reprieve
How will we know which men
in blue protect & serve, whose lives
they’ll hasten to an end
--God help us, not again...

Let’s let go of conspiracies, apologies
& welcome back the pals we used to be
Before the trolls & twitter moles
Transformed us into enemies

It’s okay to disagree
There’ll be plenty of time to fight if we stay free
& most of us like democracy

The world’s still here to greet us
It kept spinning through the solstice & the cold
Long before & after, so I’m told

Inauguration Eve
Marine Band horns & “Hail to the Chief”
It’s finally time to start the show
A chance to just let go
Despite the same old knock-down-drag-out
fights we’ve come to know
The winter winds of change must blow

Inauguration Eve,
A mix of sorrow, hope & sweet relief
& a reason to believe
A chance to start again
the old familiar knock-down-drag-out
fight among good friends
The battle never ends

We’re such good friends, the battle never ends