Swizzle Stick

Secret Ballot

I’m ticking like a time bomb
all the boxes below the line

but what if I were to deposit
a votive candle, lit, & cast

everyone’s choice in the box
to the flame? All voices ashen,

unanimously. I don’t like parties,
or conflict. I like my rights, though,

so, civic duty done & dusted,
tally ready to be counted,

I drop into the man-sized box
my hopeful little vote.


April 2 - Vote