Rebirth of US
If you needed a reminder
Or perhaps had doubts about
The power of one day
One moment
The 2021 Inauguration Day was an apt reminder
Perhaps its meaning was intensified by the weight of the past 5years
Or heck, more recently by the attack on the Capitol a few weeks before
Culminating in a prolonged 2-week distressing labor before the birth
While that event heightened the trepidation and anxiety that accompanied the excitement at the beginning of the day,
It was also the reason for the increase in the intensity of its value
Because facing reality means acknowledging that
The Inauguration Day did not go as everyone wished
There are some in the shadows of recent public online censorship
Or held back by the elaborate security presence that dwarfs number of troops in war zones
Or stopped by the celebration of the majority
Or constrained by their own inner reconsiderations
Or a mix of more than one factor
That would rather have it another way
So, beyond the numerous flags that represented our unity and pride
Beyond the lights honoring the 400,000 plus lives lost to the pandemic in about 10months
Beyond the remarkable arrivals and announcements
Beyond the masked faces, fist bumps, shoulder bumps, and much needed stolen hugs
Beyond the the plum belt with golden buckle and the golden dove
Beyond the Spanish oration, pledge in ASL and rendition of Amazing Grace that took center stage
Beyond the poignant elevation of a young black woman over and above “the hills we climb”
Beyond the meme-worthy all-day white grandpa vibe
Beyond the oaths and pledges of the first Female, First Black, First Asian Vice President
And beyond the oath and unifying speech of the new President
There is a rebirth of the US taking place
A rebirth of us
Redeeming, cathartic, exhilarating and reassuring
And though our troubles will not disappear in an instant
For one, the pandemic and its realities are still with us
There is a redirection, that if backed by mutual respect and cooperation
Would ease our nation’s pain, restoring its valuable fabric
Not because it would be a perfect union
But because it would be backed by our collective and purposeful desire to be our own rescue
Will we disagree? Of course, we will
But in his words, the "disagreement need not result in disunion"
Such that we forget that we all contribute to the fate of this great nation
Which despite the numerous blows it deals us and heartbreaks it causes us from time to time
All signs of its imperfections and indication of slumber from which we may need to wake
We love it beyond measures
And it is our hope for it and its residents to not only succeed but lead
We are the ones we have been waiting for
And it is a right day to begin the work
It is a new day!
(c) Bilqees 2021