Poetry

A Note from the Editors:

The only thing that can save the world is the reclaiming of the awareness of the world. That’s what poetry does. By poetry I mean the imagining of what has been lost and what can be found—the imagining of who we are and the slow realization of it.

—Allen Ginsberg

As America approaches its 250th birthday, we find ourselves searching for connection, meaning, and community. We raise our voices and aspirations in attempts to heal and advance our democracy, protect our rights and freedoms, and fight for equity and justice. The poems we selected for this first installment of The Art of Democracy are emblematic of the emotions and ideas so many are feeling right now.

These poems explore a landscape of unmarked graves, bombed villages, and rainforests. They float down a river, sit in a park, and cross a border. They contemplate politics while observing birds, considering an infant, and defending a personal choice. From poems about voting and history to fears about the future of humanity, they give voice to all of it, and in so doing, they make us stronger in our resolve to protect freedoms that are slipping away. 

This collection is filled with memories and moments in a range of voices aiming to tell the truth. We chose these poems for their resonant storytelling through the use of lyrical language that uses metaphor to increase our understanding of what it means to live in a democracy. These twenty-two poems teach new perspectives, issue calls to action, and show us how we are all vulnerable and worthy of protection. We hope this collection inspires readers to think deeply, consider openly, and vote persistently.

Melissa Joplin Higley & Anne Graue