Election Night, 2008

Words of inspiration couldn’t withstand

the thrumming rush of tears 
when on the peak of a living, burning history 
the people broke 
in despair of happiness.

Night cameras caught the young and perfect bride 
in a perfect moment 
when her black skin shivered 
and she reached across the velvet rope 
for her exalted other.
 
And night cameras showed older couples 
forming tender spokes of a bodied wheel 
all spinning together 
as the wind whipped their mouths 
and wetted their eyes.

O captain, my shining captain, 
when all things lost 
in the darkness of the years 
are recounted like stars on a flag, 
the people will still weep,

knowing only small pieces can be saved.