(Lincoln Memorial)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Excited.
CALLIOPE: About the inauguration?
JOE: Of course. I became frustrated and worried about the direction we have been taking as a nation.
CALLIOPE: Do you think Obama can change our direction?
JOE: Not by himself of course. But he can bring new leadership, inspiration and example.
CALLIOPE: What do you dare to hope?
JOE: That we can start hearing, seeing and feeling each other and become connected in seeking common goals rather than each grabbing whatever we can without concern for each other.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like a lot to hope for. Do you expect our whole nation to suddenly start acting concerned about each other rather than just themselves?
JOE: Of course not. Not everyone seems to accept that change is even possible. Some will keep grabbing what they can. Some will not even notice others in the same boat with them. Some have given up on doing anything different and will remain hopeless at least for the time being.
CALLIOPE: Then what is possible?
JOE: I think it's possible for those of us with hope to show how we care for each other and set a good example of the rest.
CALLIOPE: And you think that's possible?
JOE: I do and I plan to do my part to the extent I can through my writing. Talk with you tomorrow.