The scent of hope
Obama’s victory gives people a sense of hope they almost forgot by now
A strange scent was spreading in the air early in the morning. A slight, refreshing and pleasant scent that brought back memories of distant, happy days. What was this intoxicating smell? What caused the lungs and soul to expand like that?
And then, Barack Obama took the stage, and said his words; our eyes became teary, we choked up with amazement and emotion, and it immediately became clear what this wonderful scent, which became increasingly overwhelming and dizzying, was all about: It was the sweet smell of hope; the intoxicating scent of a better future.
It was not at all surprising that we had trouble identifying it. For a decade already, and almost two decades in fact, the people have not smelled this scent. Many of them completely forgot it by now. Many sank into grey, daily, bleeding depression.
Or else, many have given up hope and surrendered unconditionally almost to an existence of wild, cold, and cruel greed. They did not believe they will ever again smell the scent of fresh hope.
Yet there we have it, a complete change. George W. Bush’s evil empire is drawing to an end. There will be no successor. It is being replaced by a new spirit – a good, vital, and enthused spirit. Is it any wonder that the world has become intoxicated?
To be honest, it is completely unclear what kind of hope it is. It is also clear who this hope belongs to in fact. Does it also belong to us, or only to them? And what exactly is supposed to materialize and reflect positively on the entire globe?
Yet nonetheless, it is nice to be intoxicated by this hope. It is nice to recall how cheerful the world can be when it appears, merely appears, that a new horizon is here; a dawn of forgotten humanity, human dignity that had been neglected, generosity, compassion, tolerance, and understanding.
Prepare for disappointment?
We, the ones living in this remote corner of the world, would do well to breathe as much of this stirring scene as quickly as we can. We deserve it. After all, this is the only hope we will be able to smell in the coming years. Indeed, here too we shall hit the polls soon, yet it appears that the only hope that may emerge out of this vote has to do with the touching right-wing merger and the bright future it holds for us.
There is no doubt that in a few days, the current intoxication will evaporate. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to prepare for disappointment at this time already. Get ready for hangover, as not to face deep depression once the Washington grinder starts to trim the new president to fit with its standards.
But why do I need to rain on this parade? Perhaps Washington will not do it this time around. Perhaps a true miracle will take place. Perhaps the scent of hope will continue to linger in the air, and President Obama will be the one to polish and mold his environment in line with the values and morals he declared his allegiance to. Amen.
