The next Helene

won’t be seen

on doplar 

or radar,

though more

storms 

are in store

for sure.

Our climate

has changed

to an environment

estranged

from sustained

productivity

and health.

The VP

debate

will not 

indicate

much that

we don’t 

yet know.

Hungry

for power,

angry,

and dour,

Vance

will provide

snickers

for the other

boot lickers

as Walz’s

smile

that extends

a mile

will soften

his more

serious

side.

But don’t

be fooled

by the 

ghoulish

tool

who’s

willing to

stand 

in the eye

for the guy

who wants

to be

a Helene.

Flooding

with bluster,

creating

disaster,

devastating

what was

once

thought secure,

he’s sure

of his ability

to evade

responsibility

and focus

on a specific

path.

Disaster relief

will require

belief

that civic

action

matters.

Tonight’s

midwest 

contest

for best

vice

may entice

a few,

but the top

two

is only part

of the crew

to pay 

attention

to.

From school

boards

to courts

and of course

senate

races,

down ballot

places

are essential.

The potential

to mitigate

the next Helene

may not mean

eradicating

storms.

But new norms

and laws

that prevent

descent

into chaos

are up to us

to elect

those who

represent

the majority

whose 

priority

is democracy.