Another birthday poem–yay! And this one rhymes, which will make my husband happy.
I read somewhere that George Washington refused much of the glitz of a monarchy as he created, modeled and lived the role of President.
I always loved the guy for that.
So today I began writing a poem saluting that side of him…until I ran into some facts…and ran out of ideas on how to end it. (Again keep in mind that this poem is just a few hours old…a raw, raw newborn that needs work, work, work!)
ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON ON HIS BIRTHDAY
By April Halprin Wayland
Until today, what I liked about George
wasn’t his time at Valley Forge,
or that he was one of the tallest of all
(he stood over six foot two inches tall)
Nope. What I considered his very best thing
Is when he was firm, “Don’t say ‘Excellency, King.'”
He meant what he said and he said what he meant:
“Please simply say: ‘Mr. President’.”
But today I learned as I Googled around
that what I was told is simply not so.
During George Washington’s presidency,
He was often called His Excellency.
Even now when our president goes overseas,
He (or she) is called His (or Her) Excellency.
So happy birthday, George Washington…
How I wish you played the accordion.
© 2010 April Halprin Wayland. All rights reserved
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