Obama poetry

I'm exceedingly happy Obama's been re-elected. I was moved by his 2008 Inauguration to write the following poem (from my Bridget Bird collection). In honour of his recent election victory (and more particularly in honour of the man himself), I'd like to post it here. I wish President Obama four more years of justice, fairness and a deep respect for differences everywhere in the world.

 

Word!

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INAUGURATION

 

How much like Lincoln’s it’d be (to judge by the proud walk),

 if after a dusting of salt on the brow,
he’d be placed between scripture leaves, or on a throne
  sitting bony-kneed by the potted groves
                                                                of Lahore or Kenya,—

 And winds in a reflecting pool how much calmer they’d be
  if presidentials before him
had worn pastoral robes instead of pendent scarves,
  and shiny crystals over the Congress
stopped tipping their light (for once!) to the toothy lords
                                                                                     of Virginia

And how those Irish smiles would finally cease smiling

  (and keep plates clinking)
if toasts frozen at eye level and one too many stately balls
  & collars, straps that’ve lost their starch
were a prelude to council or a good night’s sleep
 

And light, unflappable a bird as he is, springing to the hoops,

  how nicely he’d give us back the sky
(if anyone that slim or equable or cool could,
  in robes or a Tux)—
                                                             his dear unflappable sky