Cold flameI’m not going to mince words. I’m heartbroken over the choice Americans made on Tuesday. I’m terrified of its implications and deeply worried about its consequences. I truly hope I’m wrong but I don’t think I am. I think years from now, people will look back at this moment and see it as a profound failure of the American people to rise and meet a threat they knew was coming. A failure to stand and be true. There was no fraud. No error. No corruption. We as a nation voted in record numbers. For Trump. I’m not distraught because “my side” lost. I’m distraught because on Tuesday we all lost. We sent a message to the world that we don’t deserve the democracy and freedom we can’t seem to shut up about. We sent a clear and resounding message to every woman, every school aged child, everyone who needs medical care, every marginalized person, and every person seeking a better life in our country that their rights mean less to us than a tank of gas and a carton of eggs.
I grieve for what could’ve been. I grieve for those we let down. I grieve because despite it all, I still have hope. I still believe in the mission of America and the ideals it was founded upon. That’s why this hurts so much. Hope is the lone flame that burns in a sea of pitch black darkness. It’s a fire that burns from your very soul. It’s a fire that doesn’t consume, it purifies and strengthens resolve. It may flicker. It may diminish. But it never goes out as long as we live. It’s important to take time to be sad, but don’t confuse that sadness and pain for weakness. It’s that flame purifying and tempering your resolve. That strength will be needed in the coming years. The work is never done.
But here we remain. Each of us a flame in the dark.Nov 9, 2024
I grieve for what could’ve been. I grieve for those we let down. I grieve because despite it all, I still have hope. I still believe in the mission of America and the ideals it was founded upon. That’s why this hurts so much. Hope is the lone flame that burns in a sea of pitch black darkness. It’s a fire that burns from your very soul. It’s a fire that doesn’t consume, it purifies and strengthens resolve. It may flicker. It may diminish. But it never goes out as long as we live. It’s important to take time to be sad, but don’t confuse that sadness and pain for weakness. It’s that flame purifying and tempering your resolve. That strength will be needed in the coming years. The work is never done.
But here we remain. Each of us a flame in the dark.Nov 9, 2024
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Comments
Very beautifully put.
I agree, such a pity so many seem to worship the candidate that won.
The stupidity of this turn out seemed like a work of fiction, from a south park episode.
When in reality, he is of no valor, integrity, next to none of good morals and emotional aptitude.
A sad time to be in yet, we must continue fighting on, for what we believe in. For the safety of ourselves and our loved ones.
Beautiful artwork as well.
You take care out there and stay safe.
Stay strong pedal on! 
I agree, such a pity so many seem to worship the candidate that won.
The stupidity of this turn out seemed like a work of fiction, from a south park episode.
When in reality, he is of no valor, integrity, next to none of good morals and emotional aptitude.
A sad time to be in yet, we must continue fighting on, for what we believe in. For the safety of ourselves and our loved ones.
Beautiful artwork as well.
You take care out there and stay safe.
Stay strong pedal on! 
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