We Vote Everyday

We Vote Every Day
James Tracy

i'm always
suspicious
of parties-
republican ones
democratic ones
green ones
red ones
old ones
first ones
third ones

my
infantile disorder-
a simple love
of the people
that burns like
a ballot
stuffed
in a molotov cocktail

i have often
clamped a
clothes pin
on my nose
and punched chad
pulled the lever
but really I believe
that every cook
can govern
behind every
"hi, can I take
your order?"
lies a
hidden analysis
hammers and nails
can build more than
luxury lofts
teachers aren't the
reasons school fall apart
war is the
cardiac arrest of the state
junkies and crackheads
have names beside
junkies and crackheads
the rattle of sparechange cups
might be the tune of a new
revolutionary song

robin hood
was not the only one
that was right

harriet tubman
was right
the road to freedom
must sometimes be walked
with a rifle
john brown
was right
there is more to life
than what is painted white
ricardo flores magon
was right
borders are just scars
lucy parsons
was right
a woman's place is
front and center
in this fight
eugene debs
served his country
better from jail
than any president
has from the white house

the most important choices
we make
are on the days inbetween the elections

picketlines walked
homes unevicted
communities mobilized
cynicism conquered
empires deleted
meanings for once
not lost in translation
kindness given
love made

to that extent you know
we all vote everyday

(Every two weeks we'll publish a poem from a Molotov Mouths member or guest. This was written especially for the Great Labor Arts Exchange in Washington DC. All rights reserved, please contact us for permission before reprinting.)