With a Little Xanax From My Friends

The following should be read to the tune of The Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends.”

What would you do
If, I, as a Jew
Voted Right
Instead of voting Left?

Or if I voted for Joe
But well, you know
There are times he doesn’t seem all that deft

Oh, I guess I’ll still lose half of my friends
Or I can I chose to keep half of my friends
Mm, who knew the conditionality of my friends?

What would I do with four more years of Trump?
Does it worry you his morals are low?
How do I feel on election day?
Are you sad because the city’s aglow?

Oh, there’ll be bad riots either way
A Canadian passport looks good today
The unarmed police say they’re on their way

Do you need property insurance?
I need somebody to blame
Could it be of some assurance?
If our metaphoric guns were to misaim?

Oh, compassion requires labor
So step out of your echo chamber
Please look toward your lonely neighbor

Does he need anybody?
He’s a veteran who fought for our rights
Are Americans civil at their core?
Yes, please remember that on election night

Oh, the world will go on either way
Engineers are still building robots today
They’ll eventually replace us all anyway
So enjoy a donut and some peace on Tuesday.

Do you need some of my Xanax?
My mom said it’ll make me feel numb
But what if Trump’s elected again?
Alright, then, give me some

Oh, I left Iran for all this?
Discourse and respect is what I miss
Let’s all take a moment to reminisce
When politics wasn’t such a miserable abyss

Oh, the tyrants are rubbing their greedy hands
From Iran and Russia to the Taliban
They’re hoping America cannot withstand
But this country’s grace, strength and compassion I understand.

Tabby Refael is a Los Angeles-based writer, speaker and activist.