Picking a Dandelion

for Joe and Jill Biden, Cheryl and Charles Ward, and for Margaret

walking along together 
in the nation’s capital 
Joe stopped, stooped, picked a flower—
a dandelion to be exact—
then he handed it to Jill—
who smiled in her white summer, 
dress full of pretty flowers, 
and someone snapped a picture 
of this sweet, simple gesture, 
it revealed something deeper, 
profound, beautiful about 
their love for each other here, 
that taught all of us watching, 
how to reach across time, space, 
with a tender touch, a kiss 
for one another here, now 
in this moment of hatred 
before time on earth runs out