Say not the struggle nought availeth,
The labour and the wounds are in vain,
The enemy faints not, nor faileth,
And as things have been, things remain.
If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars;
It may be, in yon smoke concealed,
Your comrades chase e'en now the fliers,
And, but for you, possess the field.
For while the tired waves, vainly breaking,
Seem here no painful inch to gain,
Far back through creeks and inlets making
Comes, silent, flooding in, the main,
And not by eastern windows only,
When daylight comes, comes in the light,
In front the sun climbs slow, how slowly,
But westward, look, the land is bright.
~Arthur Hugh Clough
for lyndsey...hang in there, soltura sister
on saturday, we were initiated into the local political scene in a big way at the democratic county convention. after hosting a preliminary "strategy" meeting earlier in the week with fellow obama delegates and alternates, our plans were rendered obsolete when the precincts were abruptly reorganized with new pairings. but, on the morning of the convention, both of us were elevated from alternate to delegate (with as much controversy as a hanging chad) and therefore had front-row seats and full credentials for all the proceedings. what was anticipated to take a couple of hours turned into an all-day marathon. for never having done much besides merely cast a vote in previous elections, it was fascinating, educational, and exhausting. 
it really is eye-opening what goes on behind the scenes of all the results you later hear reported on the news. we are just a drop in the texas bucket, but somehow it all feels significant and worthy of our participation. competing signs abounded, but despite dividing strongly along partisan lines, the overall atmosphere was one of unity and enthusiasm. people of all races, ages, and social status joined together in support of the democratic party in lubbock. we emerged weary, but with a sense of satisfaction.
