We are democracy

Resisting the lure.

This temptation (affliction?) to disengage. Unplug. Take a pass.

To leave the messiness of democracy to the others.

To studiously avoid the discomfort of political disagreement.

To delay the difficulty of a decision, a vote, or, harder still, the work of resistance.

To lighten the load on these tired, narrow shoulders.

To leave that task to the others, trusting they will act on our behalf.

Finding virtue in trusting rather than acting; purity in hands still clean.

The faithful are everywhere. Driven to distraction, seeking comfort elsewhere.

Stretched out in a field of wildflowers, staring at the clouds as they whirl by.

Suddenly, a storm breaks overhead and we scatter like seeds in the wind.

We scramble for shelter. Seeing none, exposed and vulnerable, we lean hard on our faith.

For we know the sun will rise again. There’s hope in that. Perhaps, tomorrow, we will rise with it.

Perhaps, tomorrow, we will see how much they needed us; how much our democracy still needs us.

Not just the care and attention of the few.

That’s how it grows, this precious, fragile thing, democracy. Within us.

It grows within each and every one of us. It is in our humble hearts and, also, in our weathered hands.

Shoulder to the wind, for we are democracy.