A poetic plea for election reform

In Iowa the candidates
are clocking countless miles
in hopes come caucus night they will have won.
The Hawkeye State is first in line
while others wait their turn
until this long election year is done.

We’re weary of this war of words
reported in the news.
The sound bytes from each camp are deafening.
The money spent’s ungodly
and it’s such a waste of time
while our trust in who is running’s lessening.

Why can’t we learn from Canada?
Six weeks is what’s allowed
for those who want to win to plead their case.
A 10k run is long enough.
Who needs a marathon?
And yet that’s what we have… a two year race!

Contemplating the health of our nation, marriage and relationship with God

So what is the state of the union?
It depends on what union you mean.
When it comes to our nation there’s schism.
There are blue states and red ones and green.

But what of the state of your marriage?
Is it marked by contentious regrets?
Is there lack of forgiveness and rancor?
Are there words that you’d like to forget?

Or is it a union of soulmates?
Of partners who strive every day
to work through their issues by listening
and pausing in silence to pray?

And what of the state of your prayer life?
Is it marked by the wonder of grace?
Are your prayers empty phrases and “gimmes”
or candidly seeking God’s face?

Bottom line, what is true of our unions
depends on the work that’s involved.
In our nation, our marriage, or prayer life,
faith at work finds dilemmas resolved.