Welcome to this
small town world
where people bump
into each other
in malls and markets at
corners of the streets
to banter
joke and laugh about
themselves
their neighbours
and call the
politicians
all the names under the sun,
condemning them
for their acts of compromise,
hold each one up to
ridicule and promise
not to vote for them again
until one dies
and then they
stand around and
recollect the good each
elected representative
did in his and her time
their kindnesses
the battles fought and won
and all that hard work
put in
for this small town
its future citizens
where despite everything
hope springs eternal.