"November 5th, 2008"

“11-5-08”      by Edwin R. Gomez

 

I’m Proud of my country today

I woke up with the same smile on my face from the night before
I’ve got a love hangover
my head is throbbing with pride and my mind’s finally at ease
After 8 years, I finally feel like we can collectively breathe
These tears come not from pain they come from pride
Joyful tears that for too long have been trapped inside
Because I have a case of hope and I’m hanging on to it
I’ll be happy to share it with you... just as long as you let me hold it.

In a manner of hours I went from apathy to energy, from blame to change

For the first time in my life I’ve told the world what I think
And it tickles me to learn you were thinking the same thing
That while the melody was nice
we needed someone new to sing
And this new song... is so sweet
Forgive me if I’m constantly humming, it’s stuck inside my head
But unlike the pulsating beats of the crooked elite, I don’t want it to leave

I’m obsessed with this joy from nothing, a path that was not to be

We thought this could happen someday but two years ago, no one knew or had the slightest clue
All the cynics, established names and famous faces couldn’t stop this auspicious debut

Even all the dirtiest players in the game couldn’t smear the word

They couldn't believe that the movement was for real and our voices would be heard

I look at the man on the tube and I can see me.

Half this half that, no entitlement, no silver spoons
Working hard for everything and nothing is assumed
I look at the man on the tube and I see me

If we've learned anything we've learned

The future of this nation is not one race

it’s a combination of colors that we're starting to embrace

The future is Tiger Woods, Alicia Keys, the shortstop from the Yankees... and me

This melting pot is coming to a boil
and abnormal has become less strange
I open the door for you and extend my hand
c’mon in, welcome to change

The face of America is no longer hockey moms, soccer dads, socialites or fakes

It’s integrating mixed breeds, minorities, young ideas, accidents and mistakes
Because 9 states came back and this ridiculous hope revolution has begun
There’s no need to feel offended by a happy ending
where yesterday lost and tomorrow won

I was worried the game would play us all, class culture wars, lies and old habits to break

I wondered when the measure of a man would be more than how much he makes
I was worried that people couldn’t see how bad we need to turn the dusty page
And usher in a new modern age complete with the defeat of Palin and McRage

But America came through. The population surprised me and energized me

And one man in particular organized a fire inside me
that was previously disguised as hate
for all the ones in control of a wasted state
for all the ones who’d use deceptive means to an end
This man transformed my hate into the type of love for us all that makes the world great
And to me
that’s the measure of a man my friends

It’s hard to even believe it but it’s a brand new day and

I’m hoping in the days ahead this smile doesn’t go away
but even if it does
I’m gonna savor the hell out of this morning anyway
So thank you Barack, thank you Michelle, thank you Tina Fey