"Sometimes": A Poem for This Day

It has now been three days since my family gathered in our living room, ate Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, and watched as Joseph R. Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in as President and Vice President of the United States of America. It was not a huge celebration, only Gerald and I, Shulamith, Isaiah, and Seth. Both Eli and Amanda had to work. 

As the five of us watched that morning, we once again felt pride in our nation. Our hearts were full as we witnessed the many traditions that surround the peaceful transition of power that defines our democracy.

For the first time in four years, we felt calm. And hopeful. There is no perfect person, and there is no perfect President, but President Biden has already proven to be a man of character. Has he made mistakes? Of course. Serious ones? Sure. But unlike his predecessor, he owns them. He is able to admit when he's wrong or when new information causes him to shift his perspective or change his position. He can listen to others and accept their counsel. 

His focus is outward, rather than on himself. An honest desire to serve, rather than a juvenile need to be admired, informs his decisions and fuels his actions. 

Our hope for this new administration is bold and it is brave, and that's a good thing. The despair that has plagued us for four years is now behind us, leaving plenty of room for optimism. I sensed that optimism in each of us as we watched together Wednesday morning.

One of my very favorite poems came to mind. May I share it with you today in honor of President Biden and Vice President Harris and the hope for better days ahead:

Sometimes

Sometimes things don't go, after all,

from bad to worse. Some years, muscadel

faces down frost; green thrives; the crops don't fail,

sometimes a man aims high, and all goes well.

A people sometimes will step back from war;

elect an honest man, decide they care

enough, that they can't leave some stranger poor.

Some men become what they were born for.

Sometimes our best efforts do not go

amiss, sometimes we do as we meant to.

The sun will sometimes melt a field of sorrow

that seemed hard frozen: may it happen for you. 

                                       -Sheenagh Pugh

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