Too Close To Call

We text all night

watching colors shift on the map–

You at a dorm party,

me at the kitchen table

where you learned to eat calamari

and do long division.

Texts are better than voices tonight.

One sentimental comment

about this, your first vote,

would turn you sullen or silent.

I’m learning—slowly—

To be thankful for what IS.

Tonight, I’m not thankful for

free and democratic elections

or even for raising a child who votes.

Tonight I’m thankful for cell phones.

The gift is these disembodied words

we can trade as we focus on Ohio, Nevada,

And Florida—especially Florida–

a state like you–

Long and slender

and too close to call.