End of an Era
A petulant child clung desperately to the idea. “I want it. I want it! It’ all mine, mine!”
Donald had to do it.
Trump had to gin up a plate of anger and confusion as a parting gift to the nation. He left the palce a white hot mess with everyone furious.
One final childish tantrum. Mission accomplished.
The empty streets of Washington DC on inauguration day 2021 played as a deserted oasis. Revelers celebrating the triumph of democracy’s scared ritual of transformation were replaced by stern face national guard, secret service agents, and scores of local and state police. Behind tall fence, concrete block, and tanker trucks they stood.
Through the bitter cold night of January 19th and the following day, authoritarian forces reluctantly brandished automatic weapons to protect deserted streets. In dawn’s early light journalists patiently navigated extraordinary layers of security for access to the inauguration. Most were turned away for lack of highest clearance. The gloom was palpable.
Trump’s final stand.
On the flip side of gloom was anticipation. For those who journeyed to DC on January 20th to witness history, there was a creep of optimism and hope. We felt a trace of confidence that had gone missing the last four years. Despite the missing pageantry there a sentiment in the capitol and nationwide taking hold. “We the people” took a deep breath of fresh courage, held it in meditation, then allowed ourselves to breathe free without trumped up fear.
The man-child had his say. We marveled at his petulance.
We can move past the tantrums and tweets to advance into an uncertain future with competence and faith. Americans will confront our fate with honesty. It is a tall task in front of us, but reason was restored on this sacred day.
