Reflections

Reflections

in history

in a glass ceiling

in shop windows

on our TVs

Reflections

from 150 years past

black men voting

in a nation

that finally

set them free

Reflections

of the President

who made the moment

then sacrificed his life

for history

Reflections

of women walking

garbed in white

winning the vote

for daughters

for today

Reflections

of heartbroken father

Constitution in hand

wife garbed in blue

in proud silence

at his side

both standing strong

facing down hatred

from a small

sniveling

heartless

yellow-haired man

Reflections

of five young women

on TV

giggling before the world

proud

strong

victorious

winning gold

reflecting the myriad faces

of America

today

What of tomorrow?

What reflection will there be?

Glass ceiling broken

light shining through

hope

pride

American family

motherlove?

Or shop windows shattered

Krystallnacht anew

ridicule

shame

darkness of spirit

fear of the other

me against you

hate

division

fear in America

fathercontrol?

Reflect, America.

Look in the mirror.

Reflect

who you want to see.

Then vote.

-- Marcy Rothenberg
   August 2016