His brother-in-law Hal,
a retired state senator
from the far southeastern corner
of Michigan peered out
of his black framed glasses
and told of his first campaign,
going door to door
in the predawn of October,
a maiden voyage of sorts,
past the crow-strewn fields,
the cold and silent mailboxes
farther and farther apart,
of a farmer inviting him in
for a cup of coffee
and at his kitchen table
fingering Hal's brochure,
smiling and saying, "Look,
your credentials are impressive,
but no one here will care.
Friend, you're in Ohio."