The Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center is known to the world
For honoring those in the arts – 
From Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Astaire,
Whose talents top all of the charts.

Sinatra, Gene Kelly, L. Bernstein, Kazan
And Benny and Lena and Merce,
Ray Charles, Lucille Ball, Isaac Stern and George Burns,
The list both profound and diverse.

Belafonte and Ailey and Hepburn and Peck,
Gillespie and Sondheim, the Who;
Aretha and Dylan and Kander and Ebb,
Judith Jamison, Chuck Berry, too.

Baryshnikov, Quincy, Paul Simon and Cash,
Warren Beatty, James Taylor and Cher;
Tina Turner and Spielberg and Barbra and Tharp,
Yo Yo Ma, Dustin Hoffman – all there.

Al Pacino and Elton, De Niro and Streep,
Lily Tomlin, Santana and Sting;
LL Cool J and Reba and Joni, Mel Brooks,
Lionel, Dick Van Dyke, Carole King.

There are more I’ve not mentioned, but going ahead,
It is going to be quite a shock
When the Kennedy Center will honor, perhaps,
Village People or maybe Kid Rock.

Oh, I fear for this country in so many ways
And it feels we’ve been stabbed in our hearts
With the Kennedy Center now being run
By a man with no stake in the arts.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

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

Brotherton Avatar
February 16, 2025 at 9:51 AM
First move will be to rename it the Trump Center
Andresen Avatar
February 14, 2025 at 11:46 AM
- What's next, or who's next ? - The US election could have major consequences for most countries, Ilene :) - Have a lovely and romantic weekend :) - hugs
Rolland Avatar
February 14, 2025 at 6:40 AM
this is really a famous place to visit, thanks for making me discovering, a poem to keep in mind thanks poet
Lane Avatar
February 13, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The ridiculousness of what he and his Muskrat chum are doing gets more ludicrous every day. It's become disgustingly typical that he's getting rid of people who know what they're doing and filling those positions with people that support his lamebrain plans. Is there no stopping them? For gosh sakes... Democracy is being destroyed by the two greedy narcissists. When they start playing tug of war...will T-Rump's voters finally see what they've done? I guess the blame for that will be on Dems, too.
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