Election Eve

There are two things that I struggle with most as a writer: Writing outside of my style, and finding inspiration. However this week, I was able to do both for this article which I am very proud of. With the Presidential Inauguration just a few short days away, I felt it would be appropriate to publish it this week. The story is about the picture above that believe it or not I took, and how it inspired me to write this short piece.

I have had the privilege of living my entire life a block away from the ocean. As I grew up, I began to enjoy and appreciate long walks along the beach with or without my dog. This picture was taken on one of those walks, just a few blocks from my house, the night before the election two months ago. It was there that I captured not only a beautiful photo, but at least in my opinion, a symbolic moment.

Truthfully, I didn’t have any intention of being there at that moment. However the clocks had been set back two nights before and I had yet to adjust to the sun setting at 5:00 in the afternoon. Once I saw the sun setting and the vibrant colors illuminating the sky and ocean, I started to snap a few pictures. After capturing this image though, my mind became inspired, and words began to flow to describe the moment in a way that I was not accustomed to, but which fit the picture like a glove. So I scribbled out my thoughts into the notes on my phone, and fine-tuned it into this:

The ocean lays still

Calm before the storm

As the day sun sets

On a nation torn

Old glory flies high no longer

Drifting in a gentle breeze

As a family is left behind

In shadows of dying trees

Tomorrow will be much different

Once winds of change begin to gust

As we put our faith, hopes, and dreams

Into people we do not trust

The lights in the sky begin to fade

Though fires of revolution burn bright

The future has yet to be made

But every day we will fight

The small aspects of this picture is what make it so amazing to me. The little details that compliment and complete the photograph in every way. A small family, almost unnoticeable against the shadows of the forest, the American flag flying unusually low, and the bright orange sunset all felt like well-placed symbols in an artist’s painting. I was just lucky to capture it, and be inspired to write my own poetic interpretation of the scene. I’d love to dissect every aspect of the picture and the poem as well as the deeper meanings behind each, but I’d like to keep my secrets as a writer. I encourage my audience to try to figure it out for themselves, or better yet, just enjoy.