Presidents Descending the Stairs

Presidents Descending the Stairs


Carter and Clinton
Barak and Bush
still alive
still with wives

before giving speeches
descend an inner stairway
leading to the big stage.

We see on camera
a moment that seems private
only because newscasters hush
and the world watches as they step

their shiny shoes down
scuffle and slap of soles
feet shifting and slipping inside,
a chopping echo in the dim stairwell.

Presidential past, presidential 
future knees bend, two by two
top to bottom. We're struck 
dumb.

They're only people
walking steps
and yet

someone woke
more afraid today
someone woke
emboldened

to steps coming
down down down

a deadening
tromp tromp tromp




Jessica Newton Cooper
January 20, 2017