T’was the night before…

T’was the night before the election, when Canadians vote
to elect a new government, to keep the country afloat.

Candidates everywhere hitting the street
in hopes of retaining, or gaining, a seat.

The voters were nestled, all snug in their beds
with speeches and attack ads filling their heads.

Who should they vote for? Which party should lead?
How do you choose t’wixt corruption and greed?

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon cast its glow on the barely green lawn,
where workers were planting campaign signs before dawn.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a tiny parade of folks in good cheer.

And out in front, not just any old hack!
I knew in a moment that it must be Jack.

More rapid than seagulls his followers came,
to hear him make promises, and point fingers of blame;

"It’s all Harper’s fault, he’s led us astray,
We must vote him out this election day!

And if you make me, the Leader of all,
I’ll give cash away! cash away! cash to you all!"

But just then a bus, painted bright Red and White,
pulled up to the curb, and the crowd saw alight

The professor; the man who came to us from Harvard,
wearing tweed and a shirt that was open-collared.

“I have come,” said Ignatieff, “to save you from Harper;
He claims to be bright, but I am much sharper!”

He, too, offered promises, “I’ll spend and I’ll spend,
and to pay for that spending, more taxes, my friend!”

And then, in a twinkling, I heard from the street
A voice that was lilting, t’was almost a tweet!

“I don’t understand why these leaders are mean!
If you want a nice leader, you’d better vote Green!”

And just as I thought the commotion had ended,
came another who thought as a choice he was splendid!

“My government led us through very tough times,
but why are we standing here, talking in rhymes?

There’s much to be done, and coalitions to crush!
I must get back to work, I’m quite in a rush!”

I drew in my head, and let down the sash
and threw all their flyers straight into the trash.

What are we to do, there’s none that impresses,
will the winner just be the result of our guesses:

Who really can lead? Who has the right plan?
Who can bring us together, when no one else can?

If only they told us what they’d do for us;
instead all we heard was how the others would screw us!

I wish you the best, as you stare at your ballot,
and try to decide with your ‘X’ how to mark it.

But whatever the outcome, whoever should win,
whether with good grace, or perhaps chagrin,

We must accept that the people have spoken,
and hope that the promises never are broken.


Vote early! Vote often!

Please, vote!

~ David