An older gentleman,
seated in a well-used wheelchair,
sits under the scattered shade of the
blossom-covered canopy
of an old and gnarled tree.
Above him, a young boy
with a colorful backpack,
sits where the tree's massive branches
head off in opposing directions.
Both are watching
all the people
carrying signs of protest.
Perhaps the man, who has lived long
and has already seen so much,
is looking for hope in the next generation
as he takes in the words they
choose to carry on home-made
cardboard signs.
Thinking that perhaps they will
do a better job of taking care of
each other and the earth.
Hoping that is so.
Maybe the young boy's dreams
are different -
maybe his biggest concern is simply
how he will manage to get back down.
Not how today's decisions
might impact tomorrow's choices.
Over there, the little
curly-headed girl, or maybe boy,
(isn't it funny how it doesn't matter?)
standing between her mother
and grandmother,
or maybe two moms,
(isn't it funny how it doesn't matter?)
clapping wildly every time the crowd
erupts in applause.
You can't help but grin
while watching her.
She probably won't remember
this moment in her life,
or know the hope she gave to those
who watched her joy.
Seeing love.
Some carry signs that make
their hidden struggles
so very visible.
The man dressed in black
holding a sign that reveals his
battle with cancer.
Angry words profess
how frightened he is of funding cuts
for cancer research
and access to healthcare.
The older couple,
supporting each other
as they navigate the crowd,
holding a sign for the protection of
Social Security and Medicare.
The veterans,
some in Vietnam era coats,
asking us to take care of those
who risked so much,
impacted in ways we cannot
really understand,
challenging cuts to the VA.
Then there's the many people who
don't fall into accepted
gender categories,
carrying signs that use every
color of the rainbow.
Who thought they had
found a place in our society,
but now are frightened of
their future.
The pleas for protection
of so many things -
things we have perhaps been
taking for granted -
national parks and forests,
immigrants, education,
scientific research,
civil rights, freedom of speech,
democracy, public health,
environmental protection,
books, libraries, museums,
how our history
is written and remembered ...
Circling back to the tree -
it is not a weeping willow,
but it is weeping.
And yet today it speaks of hope.
