Happy Anniversary Michelle & Barack, October 3, 2008
Love to Love You, Baby
The Obamas take a moment in Iowa on January 2, 2008, the day before Barack won the Democratic caucus. Exactly ten months later, I retrieved my 01/14/08 issue of Newsweek to look at this remarkable picture again. It depicts a couple in love, at peace, contented that they have a private moment of respite at the beginning of an important journey. Their most important possession they have and will keep where ever they end up. I’m sure of it.
When I look a bit longer, I fancy I hear Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” (the opening of Part I Acknowledgment, slower and lower than usual). When I walk away from the open magazine, just 4 feet or so on this anniversary, I can’t remember the details in the photo, but I cautiously hope I preceive the nation shifting a little bit too, minutely, each day coming around to Iowa. At the distance I let myself feel it possible, I hear Diana Ross and the Supremes singing “Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing, Baby”, swaying in unison like the Supremes did, but not dancing. Not yet.
Thank you Iowa for recognizing the thoughts of a visionary as simply the beauty of truth, a comprehensive common sense. Iowa. Iowa’s vote on January 3, 2008, an enormous glowing narrative on my iPhone screen sent by my secret sharer, shining in the pitch dark of our car as we crawled up the Coast Highway, through torrential rain, on a no moon night toward the Henry Miller Library to read more. More. We rained too into puddles. I love you supreme Iowa, for seeing the best and knowing it first.
Thank you Geeru, and have a wonderful birthday.
And thank you Brian, for trying it once and trusting it matters.
