My Encounter With President George Washington

"Mr. President," I asked him,
"How do you think we've done
With this country that you left us
When your worthy race was run?"

"I'm amazed",  he said, "at progress
In two hundred years and plus.
In many ways not the nation
You inherited from us.
I'm proud you've tried so hard to keep
The Constitution strong
And that history's proved we founders were
More often right than wrong".

I sighed and said, "We've failed sometimes."
He answered, "That is true,
But you have picked up the pieces
And kept on battling through.
If brave men don the mantle
And hold their standards high,
Then we signers will, in all truth say,
'It was worth the do or die'."

"Mr. President, we thank you
For this heritage we prize
And we hope that each new leader finds
Approval in your eyes."

"If he takes his charge with dignity,
Swears to give his very best,
You must give him time to prove himself
And pray that he is blest
With understanding of what's gone before
And insight in what's to be,
He'll bring honor to this nation,
Your sweet 'Land of Liberty'."
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

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Devonshire Avatar
January 25, 2012 at 11:54 AM
Dear Joyce, this is very creative and moving as well. I think George would be sad if he saw the state of our nation today, but I like the hope he offers in the last verse. We do have another election coming up and it's our chance to have a voice in who will lead our country. Love, Carolyn
Merryman Avatar
January 12, 2012 at 5:02 PM
Nicely done, Joyce. Enjoyed your poem. Love, Kim
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