Inauguration Day

January 20, 2021

Biden and Jill standing in the pew
just an ordinary couple
listening to the priest’s homily
along with others scattered through the church

Trump at Andrews addressing
the faithful, a skilled and 
dangerous orator, truth and lies
in a seamless stream of words

A cold day at the Capitol,
heavy winter clothes,
Amanda Gorman:

“Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed
a nation that isn’t broken
but simply unfinished”

Today is no celebration
more like standing still for a moment
before we slowly turn around
onto a path toward recovery

Copyright © Charles T. Phillips 2021

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