every vote counts

i go to vote,
just barely making it before
they close the doors
and begin the count.
i rush in telling the man
behind the counter
that whew, just made it.
he's wearing several American
flag pins on his jacket.
a red white and blue tie.
his hair is a golden comb over,
a meringue of yellow.
i'm soaked from the rain,
hungry and tired
from work.
he looks at me
and says, you've known
all day that you had
to vote, you should have
made better plans, and not
have been so rushed.
you almost missed it
young man.
he shakes his head at me
with disdain,
then scans my id.
what's your preference
i ask him, and he says.
i can't tell you that, but
let's make America
great again, okay.
he points to the other room,
go he says.
now go in there and fill
out your ballot. we have
to close in two minutes,
every vote counts.