On The Street

Recently we attended a major political rally.

We stood in line for over an hour,

inching closer to the entrance,

past the heckling protesters 

yelling at our family to "Wake up!"

(Our ten year old simply looked back at them and yawned.)

Finally we passed through metal detectors

and were flung into a jumble of people

jostling to find their best view of the stage.

Our spot was close enough 

but all the adults were so tall.

We had a lot more waiting to do.

The boys were tired and hot.

They sat down

right on the pavement

surrounded by shoes

oblivious to it all.

I was grateful in that moment

for the experience

and especially

for the technology.