Miniature flag and sample ballot for the California presidential primary on Feb. 5, 2008
Today is the New Hampshire presidential primary. Inspired by the massive voter turnout and mandate for change reflected in last week's Iowa Caucus, a poem for the Writers Island prompt "Over the horizon:"
Over the horizon
is a new dawn
and the glimmer of a brighter day
for a country too long mired
in divisive politics of fear,
distrust and hatred.
Over the horizon
is a chance for a new start
to put things right
for our children and their children;
to accept responsibility
for our choices and our actions.
Over the horizon
is the hope for redemption
to regain our place in the world,
while respecting rights of others,
without trampling on freedoms
often taken for granted.
Over the horizon
is a golden opportunity
to take the high road
and elect a leader
who cares about our country;
not just a privileged few.
Over the horizon
is a promise to honour our founding fathers
and protect our Constitutional rights,
clean up our environment
and ease the burdens
of those desperately in need.
Over the horizon
is a milestone of change
when we cast our ballots
in defiance of those
hollow men with blood on their hands
whose lies have lined their pockets
and left a trail of death and destruction,
crushed our dreams and civil liberties
and damaged our reputation on the world stage.
Over the horizon
is the privilege to stand up and be counted;
seize the day!
Absolutely Brilliant....this poem should be an American promise, read at the next inauguration! Maybe you should be president...but again who the hell would want the legacy of this mess!
You dear Tara are a powerful humanitarian! So glad you speak for the people. Wonderful to know you!
Hugs Sherrie
Posted by: giggles | 14 January 2008 at 12:29
Hi Tara,
Your poem is smashing and inspiring and I've linked to it on SO'W--if you don't mind that it's squooshed in with politics and the stars.
Hope your computer woes are made right very soon! Jude
Posted by: Jude Cowell | 13 January 2008 at 02:50
You are so passionate and inspiring ~
seize the day indeed:)
(big hugs for you)
Posted by: maddie | 11 January 2008 at 20:50
Amen!
xox
Posted by: Colette | 11 January 2008 at 18:47
As you can see, we are all pumped up over here.
My take on this is that you should be writing for your favorite candidate. They are sure to win.
Posted by: Karen Cole | 11 January 2008 at 18:47
What a beautiful poem! This is the first election that's excited me in a long time...
Posted by: patry | 11 January 2008 at 06:03
Passionate words and well said!
Posted by: Clare | 11 January 2008 at 05:53
Well said, Tara, as always. I pray all of these things are just over the horizon for our country, for our world. Amen!
~xOx
Posted by: tinker | 10 January 2008 at 05:16
Well thought out as usual Tara.
Hope you are well, just a quick pop in tonight!
xo
Gillian
Posted by: Gillian @ Indigo Blue | 10 January 2008 at 05:02
Wonderful poem! It is so fantastic to finally see apathy being shed from sleep walking eyes! For our children....Yes!
Thank you for stopping by to see me the last couple of weeks. I'm just now catching up.
Wishing you a ver Happy New Year!
Donna
Posted by: The Decorated House | 10 January 2008 at 03:41
Hope. It's a small thing to hold on to, and yet, it's enough for some of us Americans. :)
Posted by: Claudia | 10 January 2008 at 01:31
Carpe Diem!
I'm absolutely HOOKED to watching the primaries etc this time around. What fun it is! Though, there is a lot of territory to cover....AND many issues to be addressed other than whether Hilary was faking the veklemptness the other night. How absurd is the media on that one?? My goodness.
I am appalled at how differently Clinton is treated, and written about.....comments STILL about her clothes, her hair, the size of her thighs.......it seems to me there is absolutely no decision she can make without it being dissected.
the emotional rhetoric is flying high.......but some heavy duty planning has to happen if things are really and truly going to change. Just changing the talking head face in the White House isn't going to do it. Looking forward to more substance.
Posted by: awareness | 09 January 2008 at 23:48
I feel the hope too dear Tara.
"Over the horizon
is a milestone of change
when we cast our ballots"
I hope everyone steps up for change!
XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 09 January 2008 at 19:52
Outta the way, Dubya. The Dems are movin' in. Yippee!
Posted by: dianamuse | 09 January 2008 at 15:36
very powerful poem and verse, PP. Very well written and executed.
Posted by: Mary T. | 09 January 2008 at 15:23
Wonderfully put
Posted by: Steve | 09 January 2008 at 07:57
Hope hope hope... :)
Very interesting turn of events in NH, no? Wow. I think it will be something to see. I just hope they don't all get ugly, and just can run a clean race.
:)
Posted by: Amber | 09 January 2008 at 06:30
Excellent take on the prompt - over the horizon is HOPE! I'm favouring Obama, but just want the Dems to take it back. Here's to a new day -- xx, JP/deb
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 09 January 2008 at 05:45
Your poem is absolutely wonderful!!
Posted by: Chris | 09 January 2008 at 05:29
You are so right... I don't know why I get so overwhelmed with the whole thing... Sometimes it feels like, "do I really make a difference?" But, like anything, it takes one little piece to finish the puzzle... yes.... oxoxoxo
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | 09 January 2008 at 04:31
Amazingly written my friend poignant words that speak of the resolve and hope we must all have I pray November 2008 brings about change and hope for the days to come goodness knows we are a discombobulated country that feels as though we are without a leader.
It has been too long since my last visit to you dear one!
XOX
Kristen
Posted by: Kristen R | 09 January 2008 at 04:28
Good poem/call for action. I think History will not shine brightly on this current Presidency. But there's hope for the future, right? I actually think there's some pretty good candidates on both sides this time 'round.
Posted by: susanna | 09 January 2008 at 03:37
Oh Yes! Over the Horizon, I stand by your side Tara and call out to our brothers and sisters. When one is blind, it's hard to see the key. One must have eyes to see the reflective light of Hope! Thank you for your words. I will never give up!
Posted by: rochambeau | 09 January 2008 at 02:23
I always love the intense emotion of your poems, and this one is no exception. Poignant and patriotic. Thanks for expressing this so eloquently.
Posted by: chicklegirl | 09 January 2008 at 02:10
MAKE IT SO demands captain picard from the star trek enterprise..if only it could be so...yep, i would vote for you...
Posted by: littlewing | 09 January 2008 at 00:32
I sure hope the new votes do bring all those things...we can hope!
Posted by: Just Jen | 08 January 2008 at 22:21
I'm so afraid we are star struck....what ARE the issue's these folks stand for??? Hasn't been made too clear. Ron Paul is the only one that I actually know where he stands and have to tune in to Leno to hear him....
wonderful words here...
Posted by: stephanie | 08 January 2008 at 21:35
You should run for President.
I would vote for you.
:)
Posted by: maddie | 08 January 2008 at 21:17
Oh, her brand new blog is at youbecarefuloutthere.blogspot.com!
Posted by: pepektheassassin | 08 January 2008 at 21:07
Great post, Tara! Are you keeping up with all the political Hoohaa happening around Iowa and New Hampshire? Maybe things will be better someday soon.... I hope. I will be happy with Obama or Hillary, or Edwards. Anybody but Bush.
BTW, this is Pepek here. I am in the deep South this week with my friend. I've just set her up a blog--a whole new experience for her. I showed her yours, and told her its like taking a vacation with a wonderful guide. I put you on her bookmarks--Drop by and meet her when you have a minute... :)
Posted by: pepektheassassin | 08 January 2008 at 21:04
Let's hope! This poem should be handed out across the country! Read aloud in front of every polling place! ps: I finally got my copy of Artful Blogger! Wow!
Posted by: jillypoet | 08 January 2008 at 20:38
Beautiful post, Tara. I long for that horizon...that it will realize our hopes for a positive and humanistic future.
Posted by: Dorian Fletcher | 08 January 2008 at 19:55
Well said. We can only hope. xoxo
Posted by: Colette | 08 January 2008 at 19:35
Our children will indeed be the ones accepting responsibility for our actions!! Very well written..
http://poetictrails.blogspot.com/2008/01/over-horizon.html
Posted by: Preethi | 08 January 2008 at 19:23
Great poem Tara and I hope your vision does come true. I am not impressed by any candidate thus far and the primaries/caucuses are not designed to allow voters to choose. As an Independent, I have no voice until the general election.
Posted by: Brian | 08 January 2008 at 19:23
So well you write the prayers of the 'others' of this nation. Those who have ransacked our place will do anything to maintain their stranglehold. I'm afraid it will take a very long time to right the wrong the right has done. Nice post!
Posted by: Tumblewords | 08 January 2008 at 19:22
your poem is fantastic! I hope ...HOPE that good change will arrive with a new president. This country has beeen s oapathetic. WE NEED a good jumpstart for a new government!
Posted by: Pam Aries | 08 January 2008 at 17:50
Tara, I hope this is being submitted somewhere...not just Writer's Island...this is "everyman" speaking; you have penned this so beautifully.
Posted by: Cherie | 08 January 2008 at 16:48
Oh yes,'seize the day', what a pleasant start to my morning to read such a though provoking post, I hope to 'seize the day'
Thank you, Tara.
Posted by: UL | 08 January 2008 at 13:32
We are following your election with great interest over here in old Hampshire. It is of great consequence to all of us.
Posted by: watermaid | 08 January 2008 at 13:30
Fab poem Tara. Love the bit about accepting responsibilities for choices and actions.
Posted by: Captain Cat | 08 January 2008 at 13:28
We need it for the future, for our children..
Hope you are ok. Hugs!
Posted by: gautami tripathy | 08 January 2008 at 13:22
Love this! Ok I'm just not impressed with anyone running..is it just me? I just shake my head & think is this REALLY the best we can find?????????????????????????????????????????? but I'm hopeful change is going to come soon;) xo
Posted by: Apt. A | 08 January 2008 at 12:56
Sooooo Brilliant ... from someone often baffled by poetry this rings so true... stirring emotional ... brilliant!!!! Good health & happiness to you & yours in 2008.
Posted by: Redness | 08 January 2008 at 12:51
Please, let it be so.
Posted by: Robin | 08 January 2008 at 12:46
Now you have the chance to make a difference, not just to the USA but the world at large. As you said - seize the day!
Posted by: keith hillman | 08 January 2008 at 12:26
for our children and their children;
to accept responsibility
for our choices and our actions.
Good to see this, the day we learn to own up, a lot of things get solved automatically. lovely post
Posted by: Rambler | 08 January 2008 at 12:19
for our children and their children;
to accept responsibility
for our choices and our actions.
Good to see this, the day we learn to own up, a lot of things get solved automatically. lovely post
Posted by: Rambler | 08 January 2008 at 12:18
amen...blessings, rebecca
Posted by: Cre8Tiva | 08 January 2008 at 00:12