<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class="">Before The Election<div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(29, 33, 41); letter-spacing: -0.12px;" class="">I am trying to recall those<br class="">Hope filled times when the lilacs<br class="">Knew exactly when to blossom<br class="">And the figs always produced<br class="">In the same months</p><p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(29, 33, 41); letter-spacing: -0.12px;" class="">I count on those like my grandmother’s<br class="">Gentle voice or my mother’s sturdy hands <br class="">When we knew we would be safe<br class="">Even after that terrible earthquake<br class="">When the chimney bricks tumbled down</p><p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(29, 33, 41); letter-spacing: -0.12px;" class="">Even when a father’s anger could make<br class="">The whole house crumble<br class="">I could still cry out and someone<br class="">would touch my cheek</p><p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(29, 33, 41); letter-spacing: -0.12px;" class="">I am trying to recall<br class="">When civility mattered<br class="">When our leaders were dignified<br class="">When the entire house of a nation felt safe<br class="">Even after terrible fires, floods and shootings<br class="">When tragedy stirred up a mighty compassion</p><p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(29, 33, 41); letter-spacing: -0.12px;" class="">I am trying to recall those<br class="">Times when we could lie out exposed<br class="">All day warming ourselves in the truth of a sun<br class="">My underbelly safe atop<br class="">A large solid boulder<br class="">Overlooking the precipice<br class="">Just ahead.</p><div class=""><br class=""></div></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Kristy Hellum</div></body></html>