I received my ballot in the mail and felt that usual Election Day weight of dread. I hate politics, but voting is a privilege I don’t want to squander, so, I researched the candidates and measures and put my pen to paper. And Dylan Thomas’ words rang impossibly clear. Firstly, because I am thankful we are not be ruled by a single man; and secondly, because of the fact that we are a republic, I hold some of that responsibility he writes about, we are the hands that sign the paper, and that shouldn’t be taken lightly. I hope his words do the same for you as we approach Election Day, that we all would approach our votes with responsibility, because a goose’s quill can put an end to murder…but mostly, I am simply thankful that the King of kings has the hand who will sign the final paper that dictates eternity; because his hands have gaping, nail-shaped holes, put there because he is the most merciful and loving king. And whatever our nation looks like his hand holds the future, and he is good.

The hand that signed the paper felled a city;
Five sovereign fingers taxed the breath,
Doubled the globe of dead and halved a country;
These five kings did a king to death.

The mighty hand leads to a sloping shoulder,
The finger joints are cramped with chalk;
A goose’s quill has put an end to murder
That put an end to talk.

The hand that signed the treaty bred a fever,
And famine grew, and locusts came;
Great is the hand that holds dominion over
Man by a scribbled name.

The five kings count the dead but do not soften
The crusted wound nor stroke the brow;
A hand rules pity as a hand rules heaven;
Hands have no tears to flow.

-Dylan Thomas