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I remember a time
Not too long ago
When someone
Like Donald Trump.
Could never
Have been elected
As President of the United States.
I remember a country
Where after an election
The opponents shook hands.
Congratulated each other
And the country moved on.
With people hoping
That the new leaders
Will do the right thing
By the people they served.
And I remember a country
In which people respected
The election results
rather than talking
election denialism conspiracy
and dark hints of violence
and civil war.
I remember a country
Where no one supported
A poor loser.
I remember a time
Not too long ago
When Americans came together
As one country.
After the horrors of 9-11
Shook the country
And the world.
I remember serving
As a diplomat
Overseas and proud
To be an American.
I remember a time
Not too long ago
When we felt
That America was still
The world’s leader.
And when we rejected
The hateful rhetoric
Of the far-right.
But somehow
the neo-fascists are at the door
The right-wing forces
Have taken over the country.
That I still love
And still believe in.
That is what I remember
And hope Americans
Will all remember.
When we vote
For the next President
Of the United States
Of America.
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