"It is November in New York" [by Florence Cassen Mayers]

It is November in New York

and so we go in gloves

to vote. We go in droves,

we go overtly

to polling alcoves, 

we vote covertly. 

We are lovers,

ex-lovers, 

booklovers.

We are controversial,

overeager,

we are doves,

extroverts,

 

we are introverts

in handwoven

pullovers,

we are drovers 

in overalls,

we are movers,

 

governors,

we are shovers,

shit shovelers

in overcoat

and overshoes.

We are slovenly,

we are hungover,

we are overweight,

we are overlooked,

we are impoverished,

we are unproven.

We overestimate, 

overspend,

overstep.

We discover 

undercover

coverups,

we overhaul,

we improve,

we overturn government 

approved takeovers.

We vote to overcome, to recover.

-- Florence Cassen Mayers

Comments

[anna rabinowitz]

Congratulations, Florence. It's a terrific poem—wordplay and world arm in arm with just enough menace to keep them powerfully linked.
Anna

[Noah Kupferberg]

That's a really nice poem. Sophisticated and playful at the same time. Fun to read and with a point. Thanks for the sestina!

Noah

[Mikaela Beardsley]

I really enjoyed reading this - a thoughtful, playful addition to "Yes We Can." Congratulations on the well-deserved recognition! Mikaela

[Joseph]

Yes, yes, yes! I love these beautiful words. Rollicking, clever and smacking of truth.

-Joseph

[Gloria Goldberg]

Florence, Thanks so much for sending us your wonderful, clever poem.The wordplay was brilliant, and the message was loud and clear. You deserve the recognition. Gloria