OPTIMIST
Each time I vote, I pretend that this time everything I hope for will take place, that not only will everyone I vote for win, but they will turn out more liberal than anyone expected, that the evil half of the Supreme Court will take a powder, wars will end, oil will die. Every night, I visit your side of the bed to pretend that you are just away for a moment, it is warm from you and you will rush back to place your head back on the pillow beside mine, my nose nuzzling into your hair, to breathe you in, my arms around you while you push sleepily back into me, surrounded by my heat, not fully waking by your brief absence, and for some minutes I am whole again. Leonard Orr








