Don't Blame Me

I remember the times
that I’ve heard this said
by so many who didn’t want
to claim they voted for a candidate
when the person did less good than bad.

So often voices bemoan the futility
over how one vote doesn’t matter,
yet the truth is
there are enough who didn’t vote
that could easily change any election results.

It is so easy to excuse
finding reasons to never cast a ballot,
see only the dark side of government and politics
forget the price paid to give us this right.

How much blood was shed for the sake of democracy
or the countless places around the world
where citizens will never know this freedom.

For me the booth is the one spot
my voice is still equal to everyone else
and no one is able to prevent me from that choice,
except when I exercise that right myself,
which is sadly the down side of love for country.