and her in a little red car

I was never one for chanting
it always felt forced and juvenile.
never cheered along for the home team
never clapped
or rooted
repeated letters in some mass spelling bee
at least, not without feeling mildly annoyed
and getting a stress headache.
but it was different that day.
the day when she was twenty feet from me
and I could see her
thank her for her work
her bravery
her fight
that she fought for herself
and the rest of us
so we-
so I would not have to.
I cheered that day.
I cheered and chanted and screamed from the barricade
and was proud.

Thank you, Edie.

Thank you. Thank you. Ad infinitum.