Now I Wait…

He has spoken his final words

With grace, calm and poise

And now I wait

For his act to be followed

His shoes to be filled

Now I wait

Wait For words, may be just 140

Spoken with integrity

Just as strong

As coherent

As Presidential

Less dramatic

Less provocative

Words that build a nation

Not a wall

Words that tear the divide

Not people at all

Now I wait

For us to endure

What we have chosen

What we thought we want

For what we were told we needed

Wait for it to unfold

Layer by layer

Cautiously hopeful

But worried and fearful

Can We?

A long sigh

A deep pause

May be

Hope for Change

More grace

More kindness

More respect

I hope He can

I hope We can

I hope We can

Even if He can’t.

[Commentary by Dheeraj Raina: Uzma wrote this poem on Facebook on January 10 ,2017. It was her way of coping with the impending transition from the Obama presidency to the Trump presidency. I remember she had a lot of anxiety about what kind of president would be. As soon as Trump became president Uzma joined the ACLU — American Civil Liberties Union.

The title “Now I Wait…” is Uzma’s choice. I have not words are hers without any edits. To read my approach to her unpublished work and her writings on Facebook, read this.]