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Morning After

The sky hangs low and grey; the first

true cool spell since early last spring

thundered through a few nights ago.

The election is over, and the beast

has returned once again to power,

a bitter creature bent on revenge.

Today, I must finish cleaning up

the house after last night’s party,

which broke up early and dissolute.

It is difficult to be hopeful as fall

deepens toward the winter solstice

even with its celestial cliches:

as darkness grows, the light remains;

a millstone slowly grinds all to dust.

(November 7, 2024)