"Election Day" by Norman Rockwell‘A Verse for the Morning After’ and Other Poetry by Joe Tessitore The Society November 4, 2020 Culture, Humor, Poetry 12 Comments A Verse for the Morning After As thieves and pirates count our votes And set us at each other’s throats And fiddle while our cities burn, I wonder, will we ever learn? November 4th November 3rd has come and gone And so for some, a dismal dawn. The prayer of those who celebrate, Who seek to share, who do not hate, Is one of peace and unity Here in the land of liberty, For all your children, Lord, and that’s Except, of course, for Democrats. Joe Tessitore is a retired New York City resident and poet. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. 12 Responses Mike Bryant November 3, 2020 Joe, you have spoken the raw truth. I’m praying that November 4th IS a dismal dawn for all the enemies of freedom. Reply C.B. Anderson November 3, 2020 Heh-heh. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. MY house, at least, is not divided. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant November 3, 2020 Joe, I’ve just voted in my first American presidential election, and I’m hoping my immigrant voice makes a difference. I hope you and yours voted too! It’s our license to moan. Reply Joe Tessitore November 4, 2020 We did! It’s Wednesday morning and we’re now biting our fingernails. Thanks again, Susan, for inspiring me. Reply Cynthia Erlandson November 3, 2020 That’s great, Joe — I really did laugh out loud at the last two lines (and that’s/Democrats is quite a clever rhyme!) Reply Joe Tessitore November 4, 2020 Thanks Cynthia. It was one of those times when I made myself laugh as well! Reply Joseph S. Salemi November 3, 2020 I went to my old grammar school in Woodside to vote, along with my brother Rosario. I am always moved when entering that building, and I can barely hold back tears when I touch the tiled walls, the heavy wooden doors shiny with age, and look into the classrooms where I sat back in 1953. To me the place has the ambience of a cathedral, and going there is holy. God bless Donald Trump, and carry him to victory. Reply Mike Bryant November 3, 2020 Joe S, your story brought all my feelings of patriotism and freedom to the fore. You almost made me cry, dammit. Now here’s mine: When Susan and I went to vote, at a church just across the street, we found two Republican watchers and two Democrats. We were the only voters there. They explained the process, and we followed the instructions and placed our ballots in the secured box. I asked if they would like to hear a pertinent poem written by a new American citizen. It was only we six, and Susan stood there in her patriotic finery and read, “Let’s Do It!” to an appreciative audience and a round of applause. My God… I love my country and Susan, who has embraced me, Texas and America wholeheartedly! God bless America! Reply Jeff Eardley November 5, 2020 Mike, what a lovely story and a special moment.. I hope someone filmed this. I await the day that your wonderful poetess embarks on a nationwide book-signing and if the tour bus ever gets over to England, and you need a chauffeur, you only have to ask. Sally Cook November 3, 2020 what impresses me is how so many are praying for Donald Trump to win, including, of course, myself. I’ve done a lot of genealogical research and (may I say it) unearthed over twenty-five ancestors who fought in our Revolution. When I think of their varioius stories, I wonder how they won. God must have been on their side — let’s hope he is on our side and listening to our prayers. Reply Cindy Erlandson November 3, 2020 Amen, Sally. Reply C.B. Anderson November 4, 2020 I’m afraid to do my own genealogical research, Sally, because I suspect I might come up with a list of draft dodgers, horse thieves, and common grifters. The problem with God is that though He always hears our prayers, He doesn’t always answer them to our satisfaction. My prayer is that He helps us all (and our country in general) if venal Joe is somehow elected. We will need all the help we can get! Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Mike Bryant November 3, 2020 Joe, you have spoken the raw truth. I’m praying that November 4th IS a dismal dawn for all the enemies of freedom. Reply
C.B. Anderson November 3, 2020 Heh-heh. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. MY house, at least, is not divided. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant November 3, 2020 Joe, I’ve just voted in my first American presidential election, and I’m hoping my immigrant voice makes a difference. I hope you and yours voted too! It’s our license to moan. Reply
Joe Tessitore November 4, 2020 We did! It’s Wednesday morning and we’re now biting our fingernails. Thanks again, Susan, for inspiring me. Reply
Cynthia Erlandson November 3, 2020 That’s great, Joe — I really did laugh out loud at the last two lines (and that’s/Democrats is quite a clever rhyme!) Reply
Joe Tessitore November 4, 2020 Thanks Cynthia. It was one of those times when I made myself laugh as well! Reply
Joseph S. Salemi November 3, 2020 I went to my old grammar school in Woodside to vote, along with my brother Rosario. I am always moved when entering that building, and I can barely hold back tears when I touch the tiled walls, the heavy wooden doors shiny with age, and look into the classrooms where I sat back in 1953. To me the place has the ambience of a cathedral, and going there is holy. God bless Donald Trump, and carry him to victory. Reply
Mike Bryant November 3, 2020 Joe S, your story brought all my feelings of patriotism and freedom to the fore. You almost made me cry, dammit. Now here’s mine: When Susan and I went to vote, at a church just across the street, we found two Republican watchers and two Democrats. We were the only voters there. They explained the process, and we followed the instructions and placed our ballots in the secured box. I asked if they would like to hear a pertinent poem written by a new American citizen. It was only we six, and Susan stood there in her patriotic finery and read, “Let’s Do It!” to an appreciative audience and a round of applause. My God… I love my country and Susan, who has embraced me, Texas and America wholeheartedly! God bless America! Reply
Jeff Eardley November 5, 2020 Mike, what a lovely story and a special moment.. I hope someone filmed this. I await the day that your wonderful poetess embarks on a nationwide book-signing and if the tour bus ever gets over to England, and you need a chauffeur, you only have to ask.
Sally Cook November 3, 2020 what impresses me is how so many are praying for Donald Trump to win, including, of course, myself. I’ve done a lot of genealogical research and (may I say it) unearthed over twenty-five ancestors who fought in our Revolution. When I think of their varioius stories, I wonder how they won. God must have been on their side — let’s hope he is on our side and listening to our prayers. Reply
C.B. Anderson November 4, 2020 I’m afraid to do my own genealogical research, Sally, because I suspect I might come up with a list of draft dodgers, horse thieves, and common grifters. The problem with God is that though He always hears our prayers, He doesn’t always answer them to our satisfaction. My prayer is that He helps us all (and our country in general) if venal Joe is somehow elected. We will need all the help we can get! Reply
