A Conversation To Hear

"Franklin, why do you want such a fat, ugly bird?
Are you getting senile, or just being absurd?"

"Clearly, Mr. Adams, you are not being a friend.
My dove, not the turkey, will win in the end.

Though Franklin's turkey may be our most native bird,
your eagle, as well, will not be the final word.

A sign of Peace is what we need,
to show other nations of what we heed."

"Are you nuts, Thomas, for saying such?
Only my turkey can represent what we need so much!"

"Have both of you gone so daft in the head, 
not to see that my eagle should be the one instead?

It has power and majesty that our nation new,
can be ascribed to the birds advocated by you.

We want Peace, but must remember this war,
so how can we petition a dove to complete this chore?

As for the turkey, I know the pride it shows,
but I just can't get over that thing on its nose.

So my Eagle is the one without a ruse,
and the best bird for the Congress to choose.

It can show our intent for Peace with an olive branch,
is native as the turkey, with a prideful stance.

Freedom will come and be represented by
my Eagle's unlimited flight in the sky.

Ever watchful for both Peace and War,
and without the turkey's nasal sore."

"We both know, Thomas, that Adams is correct.
His bird is beyond the circumspect."

"Yes, Franklin, I have always known
that my dove and your turkey would not have flown."

"Then are we agreed, gentlemen, that we three as one,
my Eagle is the bird that has hatched and won?"


Just thinking about this conversation made me weak,
especially when I had to give it a tweak.

But the Eagle has represented us well,
both in Peace and War, as history will tell.

I have obviously voted with Adams on his choice,
It has given our country a singular voice.

It is strong, majestic, and watchful to be sure,
and stood the test of time with great enure.

One more thing I'll say about the symbol we branded,
What would we have thought if Armstrong had said, " The Turkey has landed"?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Amorose Avatar
December 22, 2015 at 9:19 PM
The Turkey Has Landed!
Amorose Avatar
December 27, 2015 at 9:57 AM
@Dan Cwiak No, just the last line of the poem...
Cwiak Avatar
December 23, 2015 at 7:58 AM
Thanks, J. But I'm not sure how to take that...did you think this one was a turkey? lol I do appreciate the read and comment very much.
Roper Avatar
November 17, 2015 at 10:55 PM
Congratulations one your win!
Cwiak Avatar
December 23, 2015 at 7:55 AM
Thank you, Eve. I appreciate your comment and stopping to read my work.
Curtis Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 7:26 PM
Congratulations one your win and your thought provoking poem
Cwiak Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 7:55 PM
Thanks, Jerry. I appreciate your read and comments on this work.
Godwin Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 7:15 PM
I can finally exhale! I've been hoping for this win and I'm darn excited about it! YES, YES and YES ... or, as they calmly say: Congratulations! CayCay YES YES YES
Cwiak Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 7:54 PM
Thanks, CayCay. I wrote this with the play in mind, and it has given me some ideas for future writes. I'm glad you were in my corner!
Lawless Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 9:25 AM
The last line seals the deal....well done. who said they had no foresight???
Cwiak Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 7:46 PM
Thanks, John. At least they didn't have the gobbler's beak.
La France Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 8:21 AM
Dan, a big congratulations to you on this wonderful write placing in the contest ~
Cwiak Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 7:52 PM
Thanks, B W. I tried to think of what they would be saying to each other, knowing Adams was a bit pushy, Jefferson a bit too much of a dove (no pun intended), and Franklin always the oddball. Yet they were compatriots and I believed had to be friends to do what they did in founding our country;
Haight Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 7:48 AM
Nice arguments presented for the choice, Dan, through your well written couplets. Congrats on your win. Sandra
Cwiak Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 7:44 PM
Thanks, Sandra. I do appreciate your visit and comments.
Lane Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 4:35 AM
Nicely written, Dan. Congratulations.
Cwiak Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 7:43 PM
Thanks, Lin. I would have loved to hear that conversation and could only imagine that this is something of what they said.
Fairbrother Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 2:43 AM
Very good mate you nailed it. cheers Kev
Cwiak Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 7:41 PM
Thanks, Kevin. I appreciate your read and comments.
A  Avatar
November 10, 2015 at 11:01 PM
Ha, love the ending, you are a Master when it comes to couplets. Love SKAT
Cwiak Avatar
November 11, 2015 at 7:40 PM
Thanks, SKAT. I must admit that I like that form more than any other.
Lindley Avatar
October 22, 2015 at 8:54 AM
GREAT POEM MY FRIEND, CLOSING LINE SEALS IT. A7
Cwiak Avatar
October 22, 2015 at 5:41 PM
Thanks, Robert. It never occurred to me until I got into writing the poem, but fit the thought and theme better than anything else.
Laurie Avatar
October 20, 2015 at 2:49 AM
G'day Dan... an interesting debate and you've explained it so well - Lindsay
Cwiak Avatar
October 20, 2015 at 12:37 PM
Thanks, Lindsay. I couldn't help eavesdropping a little.
Tor Avatar
October 19, 2015 at 11:12 PM
Great write and great ending, Dan
Cwiak Avatar
October 20, 2015 at 12:34 PM
Thanks, Michael. I appreciate the read and I didn't think anyone would like it Armstrong had to use that bird as a reference.
Godwin Avatar
October 19, 2015 at 8:44 PM
Dan - this is outstanding. You obviously saw the movie because your speech sounds EXACTLY like their clever repertoire. You blew me away with this one, took me to where they are standing on the street and debating. I did trip a bit about who is speaking in the last 5 couplets, but after thought, it must be you, the writer. A 10 for you ... CayCay
Cwiak Avatar
October 26, 2015 at 9:46 PM
CayCay, I still don't know enough about the site to reply in the comments area, but if you get this note, I am very appreciative of the ones you sent. I did the line at the end as a world's perspective, not just the USA. I really like your version, but I think that the extra space taken by the syllables gets the message across. Sometimes less is more...but here I wanted more to be more. I once tried out for a part in this play...Lee of Virginia, so yes, I do know it. My favorite, though, is Man of La Mancha, and I did get to do that one on stage. Hugs to you and your moma...
Cwiak Avatar
October 19, 2015 at 9:31 PM
Thanks, CayCay. Yes, it was me...after all, we were supposed to let our choice be known. I just wanted to think of what the conversation would have sounded like from the perspective of the proverbial "fly on the wall". lol As always, I appreciate your comments.
Fisher Avatar
October 19, 2015 at 8:05 PM
I like your poem and your pick...awesome last line! Good luck in the contest.
Cwiak Avatar
October 19, 2015 at 9:25 PM
Thanks, David. I appreciate the read and your comments.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace