here today

 

signs

what does it take to be here. today?

Those people.  The sign-wavers.  They always make me cry.  Today it was parents in yellow rain jackets.  Their signs read "Save Our Schools".  They are waving about the election on Tuesday.  I already voted so I rolled down my window and gave them the thumbs-up in case that would help keep them out there in the rain, looking so happy, together in a group.  And I thought, sure, I voted but that's all I do.  Just enough to claim that I'm part of the political process.  Just enough so that I can put my thumb out the window and not feel like an asshole.

Last week the signs were about the war.  One said "Bring my son home" and when I read that I had to pull over by the side of the road I was bawling so hard.  This mom, this mom whose son is over in Iraq fighting for nobody knows what anymore, this mom is out on a street corner reminding everyone about what matters.  Because it's easy to forget, tune it out, turn the radio to another station and just think about the rain, the commute, the day ahead.  Politics is getting so loud that it's become an even steady roar that we can all turn away from, exhausted, bored, done.  I already voted, stop talking to me! 

But then out of the corner of my eye, I see a sign.

Posted by: 120pages at 06:21 | link | comments |