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Poetry, Democracy, and the Vineyard of Renewal

Opinion

Poetry, Democracy, and the Vineyard of Renewal

A California vineyard during sunset.

Getty Images, Anton Petrus
David L. Nevins
By David L. NevinsJun 17, 2025
David L. Nevins
David L. Nevins serves as publisher of The Fulcrum. Additionally, Nevins serves as co-founder and Board Chairman of the Bridge Alliance. Nevins brings business acumen, vision and a tireless this-must-and-can-be-done zeal to the burgeoning movement to bridge divides to transform the political process. As a business leader, Nevins excels at building bridges between people and organizations from the right, left and center for civilized conversation and then action. He co-founded the Bridge Alliance because, as he says, “No matter how well managed and how well funded anyone organization is, significant political reform will not happen without an alliance to further collaborative interactions. Together we can and will raise the collective impact of all.” He is a member of the Aspen Institute Society of Fellows, with a focus on the Aspen Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership, he established and continues to work with The Nevins Democracy Leaders program at Penn State University. Nevins graduated with honors in economics from Penn State in 1969 and received an M.B.A. in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1971.
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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 in “I 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.


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The Hidden Infrastructure of Democracy: Professionalizing and Diversifying Election Staff

Dr. Shaniqua Williams, assistant professor of political science

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The Hidden Infrastructure of Democracy: Professionalizing and Diversifying Election Staff

Earlier this year, the Bridge Alliance and the National Academy of Public Administration launched the Fellows for Democracy and Public Service Initiative to strengthen the country's civic foundations. This fellowship unites the Academy’s distinguished experts with the Bridge Alliance’s cross‑sector ecosystem to elevate distributed leadership throughout the democracy reform landscape. Instead of relying on traditional, top‑down models, the program builds leadership ecosystems—spaces where people share expertise, prioritize collaboration, and use public‑facing storytelling to renew trust in democratic institutions. Each fellow grounds their work in one of six core sectors essential to a thriving democratic republic.

Below is an interview with Dr. Shaniqua Williams, Assistant Professor at West Virginia University. Her research focuses on state politics, race and ethnicity, Black political behavior, Black women’s descriptive and substantive representation, and election administration. She is also a Research Fellow with the Center for Election Innovation and Research, where her work focuses on election administration, workforce development, infrastructure, and policy.

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Changing Iran: With Help from Political Geographers on the Ground

INTRODUCTION

This article suggests a different path out of the present excursionist war. This would be a diplomatic effort with ample incentives to MAGA-Israel and the Conservative Shia Theocratic Khamenei Regime (CSTKR) to stop the war. In exchange for the U.S. and Israel stopping the bombing in Iran, this effort would allow the CSTKR to survive and thrive. They could keep and promote their belief that the return of the Muhammad al-Mahdi, the 12th Imam, who disappeared in 874 CE, is key to bringing on the end times to establish peace and justice on earth. While most people would endorse the attainment of peace and justice on earth, they would strongly object to its connection to try to actualize it through violent struggle.

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