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POEM: Last Night I Watched

Last Night I Watched
by Jason Crane

Last night I watched an American president-elect on the television and cried. Next to me was my wife Jennifer, tears running down her cheeks.

Last night I watched the awakening of a nation that had all but given up on its principles and ideals.

Last night I watched Jesse Jackson hold one finger to his trembling lips as he wept, the marathon runner finally crossing the finish line.

Last night I watched John Lewis talk about the unbelievable road from “Whites Only” bathrooms to steel truncheons on the Edmund Pettis Bridge to the steps of the Capitol.

Last night I watched an actor from The Color Purple rest her chin on the shoulder of a friend as she watched an African-American man speak about his future presidency.

Last night I watched an ocean of joyful tears give a gentle lift to the ship that is America.

Last night I watched Walt Whitman as he knelt down and pulled a blade of grass from the rich earth, singing.

Last night I watched as Kenyans danced on dusty ground, arms raised toward the glorious sun.

Last night I watched as a crack opened in the wall, and looking through, I could see the glimmering field of stars.

Published in My poems Poetry Politics & Activism

3 Comments

  1. Handsome Mike Breen Handsome Mike Breen

    The good guys win! The good guys win!
    Lets wake up America and let the healing begin!
    There’s work to be done,
    And it wont be easy,
    But we have a strong leader
    Who wont decieve me!

    (Not as touching as yours Jay, but I’m excited!)

  2. Lovely poem! I think you should print it on parchment (or something similar and suitable for framing) and sign it for your friends to frame and hang on their walls.

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