Today I cast my little vote
Its destination shouldn’t be a mystery
It shouldn’t be like a toy boat
Sent out upon the sea
I put it in an envelope
And seal it with if not a kiss
Then with this message:
Don’t lose your way, little ballot
May nothing go amiss
I’m tracking my little ballot
From desk to box to door
My sweet little ballot
Shouldn’t end up on the floor
For my ballot carries some cargo
It carries a bit of me
It says, I studied, I decided
It says I finally see
So take good care all you handlers
As it travels in between
The fingers and the apertures
Of all the sorting machines
You may not have the stature
You may not have the size
But you’re more than a mark on paper
You may even grow to be wise
You’re fit, my little ballot
You’re signed and dated
You’re strong, you’re woke
You’re ready to be counted
Then you will become become a vote
I love you, my ballot
Even though I’ve sent you away
Nothing about you is absentee
For me you are never delayed
So goodbye and good luck, my ballot
I’m part of you and you’re part of me
And for better or for worse
That’s democracy.