Be Our President (An Inauguration Day Poem from an Older, Lesser Poet)

What would I say to you, Joe? (Can I call you Joe?)

Kamala calls you Joe (Can I call her Kamala?). Is this

what we are to expect in the first of your first one

hundred days—the first first-name basis administration?

Joe, I voted for you, but this feels too chummy, which

sounds strange seeing as how we’ve endured four sour

years, like friendly would be an answer to our prayers.

But gosh Joe, while I’m thrilled to see that you are a pal

to poets and dogs and those who tend the White House

grounds, I want to make this one plea: be our President.

Yes, be our friend, but be that something more America

the beautiful is aching for—a symbol conspicuously good.

I realize this is quite the tall order, but you aspired to the

highest office, you made the choice to run and won. So run.

Run our country at a wise man’s pace. We’ve raced reckless

gassed on boast and swagger and contempt from both sides.

Slow us down to the self-government of being not only keeper

of our brother but our sister and our neighbor and mother Earth.

Rest your hand on the old Book and swear—be our President.

 

 

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17 Comments

  1. Irv on January 18, 2021 at 8:14 am

    Thank you, John! Your prayer is the prayer of all Americans… even the ones that cannot yet bring themselves to speak it.

    Be well, America! You, too, my friend!

  2. Cherry on January 18, 2021 at 8:24 am

    “Slow us down to the self-government of being not only keeper

    of our brother but our sister and our neighbor and mother Earth.” That’s a tall order. I wonder if it is possible for one person to turn the rudder? God help the president.

  3. abby on January 18, 2021 at 8:32 am

    I did not know I needed these words until I read them. Thank you.

  4. James Smith on January 18, 2021 at 8:33 am

    Yeah, man.

  5. Nord Eriksson on January 18, 2021 at 8:43 am

    Oh, yes please! Help us all to remember our brother and sister’s names again.

  6. Gwen Acres on January 18, 2021 at 9:12 am

    So many Canadians embrace Joe. Even though proud to be Canadian, we love our cousins south of the border. We have grieved for their pain and suffering these last four years. And now we celebrate and will watch for the flourishing of our family.

  7. Michael Easker on January 18, 2021 at 10:40 am

    Be what is due [America] the beautiful.

  8. Jacky on January 18, 2021 at 10:54 am

    Amen and amen!

  9. Sherrey Meyer on January 18, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    “Rest your hand on the old Book and swear—be our President.” This entire poem is music to my ears. But that last sentence puts it all into its intended context. Thank you, John!

  10. Ann on January 18, 2021 at 12:52 pm

    Rich.
    Thank you.

  11. Charlene Guzman on January 18, 2021 at 3:43 pm

    This is such a beautiful poem and articulates the desires of many Americans today! Thank you for sharing.

  12. Kristopher on January 18, 2021 at 8:13 pm

    So good, John. Grateful for your words.

  13. Brett on January 19, 2021 at 2:28 am

    Enjoyed the poem John, and its sentiments – he faces a great many challenges in the days ahead!

  14. Patti on January 19, 2021 at 5:29 am

    I love this sentiment!

  15. Marcia on January 19, 2021 at 10:13 am

    AMEN. AMEN. and AMEN!

  16. Ruth Ann Jacobs on January 19, 2021 at 4:47 pm

    Agree wholeheartedly!

  17. P. Armstrong on July 31, 2022 at 3:20 am

    This poem has not aged well, has it? I was so disappointed to read about your vote. As a Christian I just don’t understand how you would side with radical, pro-choice liberals.

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