Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

Poetry, Democracy, and the Vineyard of Renewal

Poetry, Democracy, and the Vineyard of Renewal

A California vineyard during sunset.

Getty Images, Anton Petrus

Poetry pulses through the veins of American heritage, shaping our nation’s conscience and collective voice. In the 19th century, Walt Whitman recognized that both poetry and democracy derive their power from unifying disparate voices into a harmonious whole. His words inI Hear America Singing” still resonate, reminding us that each citizen’s song enriches the greater chorus.

Throughout history, poetry has served as a mirror, reflecting the triumphs and trials of our democratic journey. It challenges, illuminates, and inspires—an ever-evolving force in shaping conversations that matter.


The Fulcrum is proud to present an original poem by Michael Varga, author of “Under Chad’s Spell” and a former Foreign Service officer who has served in Dubai, Damascus, Casablanca, and Toronto.

“The Sour Grapes of a Dying Democracy” is a meditation on the seductive allure of power and the bitter reckoning it brings. Varga’s metaphor—a vineyard once abundant, now poisoned by corruption—calls for renewal. As democracy teeters, we must confront the consequences of compromised leadership and sow new seeds for future generations. The harvest may take generations, but only through vigilance and truth can we restore the legacy entrusted to us.

Read. ….Reflect….. Engage…..and Enjoy.

A Poem by Michael Varga

The Sour Grapes of a Dying Democracy

At the moment of veraison*

We don’t yet know how sour

Is the fruit. A far Trumped tower

Makes the grapes appear appetizing.

They turn crimson, then black.

Now we know the harvest

Will be abnormal, the harshest.

Uprooting vines is our task:

We must expunge the downcast.

About the prize, the crew chief lies.

He charges the pickers to pick.

But when the vintage ferments

We taste how bitter, how sick.

All of the vines are corrupt.

We have to start over, a new

Planting of the sacred vineyard

Handed down from beloved ancestors

Who measured risks of hiring

Overseers who deceive us, miring.

It will take eons for the next harvest.

But our sons, daughters will reap best

Long after we hover above the mist,

Gauging the robust bequest we left.


*veraison refers to the period when grapes begin to ripen, marking the transition from growth to maturation. This stage is characterized by changes in color.

David Nevins is co-publisher of The Fulcrum and co-founder and board chairman of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund.

Read More

What Democracy Promised Us — and What We Got Instead
a flag on a pole
Photo by Don Starkey on Unsplash

What Democracy Promised Us — and What We Got Instead

The Fulcrum is committed to nurturing the next generation of journalists. To learn about the many NextGen initiatives we are leading, click HERE.

We asked Lluvia Chavez, a Mexican-American bilingual journalist dedicated to amplifying the stories of underrepresented communities and a cohort member with the Fulcrum Fellowship, to share her thoughts on what democracy means to her and her perspective on its current health.

Keep ReadingShow less
Government by “the consent of the governed”

Government by “the consent of the governed”

Government by “The Consent of the Governed”

The Expand Democracy 5: A Supreme Court out of balance, collaborative legislative rules, a public primary, a faster way to tally ranked choice voting elections, and timely links.

Welcome to the latest edition of The Expand Democracy 5. From Rob Richie, with Eveline Dowling and with Juniper Shelley’s assistance, we highlight timely links and stories about democracy at the local, national, and global levels. Today's stories include:

Keep ReadingShow less
Strengthening Elections, Rights, and Citizen Engagement

Strengthening Elections, Rights, and Citizen Engagement

Strengthening Elections, Rights, and Citizen Engagement

Welcome to the latest edition of The Expand Democracy 5. From Rob Richie, with Eveline Dowling and Juniper Shelley’s assistance, we highlight timely links and stories about democracy at the local, national, and global levels. Today's stories include:

🔁 The primary problem is a lack of general election competition

Keep ReadingShow less
Pros and Cons of Congressional Term Limits

The United States Capitol Building, the seat of Congress, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Getty Images, Omar Chatriwala

Pros and Cons of Congressional Term Limits

Background: What are Congressional Term Limits?

While members of the U.S. House of Representatives serve two-year terms and U.S. Senators serve six-year terms, all Congresspeople are eligible for re-election indefinitely. As of 2023, U.S. Representatives served an average term of 8.5 years, while U.S. Senators served an average term of 11.2 years.

Keep ReadingShow less