America

Today,

we came and sat and listened

to the words of our leaders and statesmen.

We let our hearts rise

like the tiny pink balloons

that they are,

and gave hope that they might reach

the sky

unfettered.

We craned our heads back and

took in the years of those who have come before us.

The mothers and fathers,

sisters and brothers,

each with a story of their own to tell.

We breathed deeply

inhaling the suits and ties,

the green of the lawn,

the metallic glint of limo after limo.

And we shed tears.

Tears for emotions we did not even know

we had. 

We stopped

and we listened to the beating of our own hearts.

And for a moment,

we forgave the past.

We let ourselves dream the dream we were

taught in classrooms as children-

that in this country

anything can happen.