Jon Stewart

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Our wisest simply
Don’t run for public office,
For they are busy
Fighting the good fight, without
The need for a pat
On the back, or coins in the
Coffer--"they need not
Care about voices trying
To placate them, or,
Worse, ruin their life or the
Lives of their loved ones--"
Knowing that violence is
Always on offer,
Such stalwart truth-seekers act
Not on behalf of
Themself alone, but rather
The lot of us all--"
Be them snakecharmed or lucid.
[
Ever-questioning,
Such individuals want
More for this species.
Such individuals want
Love to drown out war.
Such individuals do
Not dream of one day
Marinating in human
Perfection--"they seek
To autopsy the moment--"
Studying each bit,
Thoroughly analyzing
Each organ gone wrong,
In order to discover
The antidote--"that
Speaking truth to power is
Crucially different
Than speaking truth at power--"
Understanding that
Resuscitation
Is possible when we can
Still fight, sewing up
This Y-incision, having
Been cut by hate and
Division, rather than write
Ourselves off as a species.