To the Modern Masters


It is what we have heard and what we know.
It is the truth our fathers did bestow.
I now recount to my listeners who
Among us can guide where we are to go.

We must proudly lift our heads and raise
Our voices. It's our duty. In past days,
Gregory extolled Benedict; Arnold,
Newman. It is our turn to offer praise.

It has been said of the famed titans
Of the world's past--Virgil, Chaucer, Dryden,
Has there ever been one in speech or pen
To compare with a Durbin or Biden?

Which of the respected ancients of yore
Were lit with the literary allure
Now burning within our politicians:
Pelosi, Murtha, or the noble Gore?

Who could guide a nation, who could aspire,--
Maybe Cicero, or perhaps Prior--
Who could navigate a treacherous strait
Like Ted Kennedy but yet never tire?

Through Lincoln's efforts, many slaves were freed;
Churchill led Britain in its hour of need.
A peanut farmer, plain Jimmy Carter,
In times of crises showed all how to lead.

Which noted teacher of those we esteem
Echoes authority? King with his dream,
Poe with his raven, Stowe with her cabin
Merely whisper; it takes the Dean to scream.

When compared to his 'Nam tales--Kerry's gift,
Ficticious boating tales by tellers Swift,
Stevenson, Verne, Crane, Homer, Melville, Twain,
And Defoe flip over or go adrift.

John Adams and Patrick Henry consent;
John Edwards gives a voice to the silent:
Babies in the womb, soldiers in the tomb,
Words to sinners from our God he does vent.

Please forgive me if I now change my rhyme
And pattern. Two others need attention.
Two men, calling for a new direction
In guarding our freedom, step out of time.

In the past, Ovid and Kaftka transformed
Views of the world by their written dramas.
Now oracles from Byrd's and Obama's
Altars are needed so we'll be reformed.

As to aged men of wisdom, clans agree:
Let's build memorials for Mr. Byrd.
In terms of leadership, I've heard,
His only rival is Auranus, from 2 Maccabees.

As to the other, Barack Obama,
America and the world would be blest
If he reigned as many full years--none less--
As Zimri did Israel from Tirzah.

From ancient and recent generations,
Of ancient and recent appellations,
Who's competition for team Clinton?
Let us begin our investigations.

I can't recall, I have no memories
Of others from the world's territories
So concerned about their nation's health, clout,
Or jobs lost to Sudanese factories.

Madison guaranteed us liberty;
John Paul Jones helped us achieve victory;
Through white waters, Clark and Lewis embarked;
But none rival the Clinton legacy.

The Brownings were brilliant in poetics,
The Godwins dealt with less mentioned topics,
The Curies decrypt atomic secrets,
But the Clintons are the true eclectics.

What other couple in history's past
Could discuss various subjects such as
Computers, china, cows, Indonesia,
Flowers, or why Cubs fans are so downcast?

You can probe the stars with the best Hubbles,
Travel across the dales to some grand castles,
File through a dark land as did Livingstone,
But you will not find any their equals.

Shakespeare applauded men's past heroics;
Foster wrote, and Cole sang renowned lyrics;
Hitchcock scared so well we could not inhale;
But they all pale to this pair's theatrics.

Of writers of satires and comedies,
Lardner, Parker, Aristophenes,
The Clintons are the best. They define the jest
And wit of creative chicaneries.

From the generations, whose name can we invoke
To rival Old Bill's? A product of Hope,
Jefferson's namesake, Franklin's rattlesnake,
He's far, far aloft a Milton or Pope.

Among authors on beauty, family,
Love, humility, and tranquility,
Alcott, Dinesen, Austen, Dickinson
Combined do no justice to Hillary.

Therefore, once again, it is time to choose
Whom we will follow. Closely watch the news.
All citizens, come! Our lives and freedom
Are being threatened. Fight and pray, or lose.

Let Wheatley laud Washington's great valor;
Let Wordsworth do the same for L'Ouverture;
History will show, as we do now know,
That our modern masters they prefigure.

And if I've failed to list some sage, between
Confucius, Aristotle, Augustine,
Feingold, Reid, Waxman, David, Solomon,
Pardon me. I did not try to be mean.

Finally, if things don't occur as planned,
If votes are cast which we don't understand,
Recall God's deeds. Just remember and trust
That all things happen by His loving hand.