Democracy in the desert

the light from democracy shines
on the small people
the small petty discriminations
the corked grief
from a missed opportunity
generations ago (when our people
came to this land)
has grown large
blackened and straining for expression
unrealized and unreleased
by exposure or consideration
finds its opportunity in the mark on paper
for our kinsman
the pulling of a lever
for a favor
and our agreement that
revenge
is the only option
to complete ourselves.