islands of shade
by Elouise
islands of shade sprawl
beneath tall oaks and maples
wearing shiny bright green leaves
they rustle in the morning sun
this warm humid day in May
I’m just back from voting in the Pennsylvania primary plus an early morning walk in the local park near our home. No other walkers. Just unstoppable birdsong, humid breezes and the sound of a basketball hitting the pavement.
On many days I can’t say I’m proud of the way our country or its leadership is behaving. But today, Primary voting day in Pennsylvania, I’m grateful I’m not afraid when I go to vote.
I’m also grateful for the court-enforced redistricting plan that gives us a more balanced voting map than we’ve had for years. I care which candidates run in the November midterm elections. Yet overall, I care most deeply about the opportunity to vote safely in an election that hasn’t been gerrymandered to support (if not ensure) a certain outcome for any party or candidate.
Every two years we’re given an opportunity to have a voice. I admit things don’t always go as well as they might or should. Nor does everyone have an easy or fair experience when voting. Nonetheless, unless you’re disabled, unable to vote by mail, or not registered as a Republican or Democrat, to cast a vote in a Primary is still better than sitting at home or complaining about the system.
As for staying up to watch the returns, I’ll leave that to the younger generations!
Happy walking! And may islands of shade and birdsong welcome you.
©Elouise Renich Fraser, 15 May 2018
Photo found at inspiredroombox.com
Telling the Truth 
I love voting, we have a ‘compulsory’ system here in Australia,
Everyone over the age of 18 must register to vote, they don’t have to register to be a Liberal/ Labor/ Green /Independent, just to get their name on the electoral roll, and when we have elections you are required to go to a polling station and get your name crossed off.
Whether you actually vote for a candidate or not is your business,
Being a socialist I’m a paid up card carrying member of the Australian Labor Party,
I’m a firm believer in compulsory voting, wasn’t always but I came to the opinion/conclusion that it is the right way to go.
It’s the people who don’t vote that bleat about the terrible governments that they have, But they’re to damned lazy to get out and vote.
Here endeth the lesson for today 😇
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Dear Professor,
Methinks your system is worth investigating. Is there a penalty for not showing up? Or a treat when you do?
Respectfully,
A Student of Life
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You can be fined for not showing up and most Polling Stations have a ‘sausage sizzle going on on polling day, it’s actually quite a festive time. I love it 🙂
There has been times when I’ve not liked any of the candidates so I just write on the ballot paper “No of these” and pop that it the slot,
Every state has exactly the same method of voting and every polling booth works to the same system, all polling is governed not by the government but by aan indcolar from Sconeepent Electoral Commission that controls the whole country,. My vote is worth exactly the same as a numskull from Narrogin or a scholar from Scone and an Aborigine in Arnhem Land. and that’s the way it should be
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but by aan indcolar from Sconeepent Electoral Commission that controls the don’t know what happened thereit seems that the bit scholar from Scone got sent up into the comment somehow 😦
And I did type None of these so an ne got lost somewhere
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this clown forgot to add Independent Electoral Commission
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I like what you describe even more with the food thrown in! Seriously, I wish we had a more reasonable, open, clear process.
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You can’t, until Americans realize that they are one country, not 50+ separate states and everyone should/must be treated equally
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Many Americans, myself included, realize and believe we are in principle just as you describe. I don’t think a ‘fix’ is possible without taking on our racial history and the way our political system functions to keep us polarized and divided. Divide and conquer is on full display 24/7 — especially when we least realize it. I appreciate your comments, and still wonder from time to time whether there’s still room for me in Australia! 🙂
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