Carolyn Devonshire Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

True

Leadership

True Leadership

Nation huddled in darkness
As a leader emerged
Promising a “New Deal”
Recovery from the Great Depression

Our thirty-second president
Wise, compassionate
Franklin Delano Roosevelt 
Beacon of hope for families

Warm Spring’s historic train, now rusty
Once carried people with polio
Visitors to FDR’s Little White House
Hoping tepid water would ease their plight
 
Touring the White House museum,
You can see the bed where he died
Beloved president of 12 years
During the harshest of times

Hungry and homeless Americans 
Overcame the Great Depression
Only to enter a second World War
Upon the bombing of Pearl Harbor

His comprehensive programs 
propelled a struggling nation to rebound
Created infrastructure jobs
Taught people new skills

Elected four times 
Roosevelt was a born leader
With the problems we have today
We pray a new leader will show us the way



*January 16, 2021
For L. Milton Hankins’ “Your Favorite President” contest

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Jennifer Proxenos February 9, 2021 at 4:52 AM I hope so Carolyn, and I do believe he will, but he will have a bit of an uphill problem with the Republicans. Some say there will be a Civil War - America in a civil war, its unthinkable. It was always said that when America sneezes, the whole world catches flu - I pray this saying comes to fruition again soon Love and hugs my dear friend Carolyn, stay safe.

Judy Ball February 3, 2021 at 10:59 AM Well said Carolyn. He was a man ahead of his time and he did a lot of good but faced a lot of unfair criticism much like Mr. Trump. Carolyn Devonshire February 3, 2021 at 1:06 PM Roosevelt was regarded as a hero by my parents and grandparents. As a teen, my father worked on his CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). He was a man whose ideas could be employed again today.

Jack Horne January 26, 2021 at 12:10 PM awesome write, hon - was surprised you didn't write about Trump as your all time fave Carolyn Devonshire January 27, 2021 at 4:52 AM I'd already written about John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, George H.W. Bush and Barrack Obama. I just think someone like FDR would be great for our country. It's impressive that Biden is working so hard.

Connie Marcum Wong January 25, 2021 at 7:34 PM He was a great leader and his First Lady deserves some credit too. Her strength helped him succeed! Best of luck in the contest Carolyn. This is awe inspiring world. Blessings connie Carolyn Devonshire February 3, 2021 at 1:07 PM I think Eleanor Roosevelt deserves a poem of her own. Maybe a contest on favorite first ladies? Thanks for reading!

Lindsay Laurie January 24, 2021 at 7:32 PM Hello Carolyn … it’s very difficult to attract true leaders like Roosevelt in these times of self interest. I do feel for you US citizens with the turmoil you must endure - thank you Carolyn - Lindsay

Harry Horsman January 24, 2021 at 7:46 AM I Agree, Carolyn a leader that will be remembered for his leadership, great poem, love the information, the history...

Beata Agustin January 23, 2021 at 4:05 AM Thanks for sharing this, enlightening me about FDR. We had a president with FVR initials. Thanks likewise for my placement in your recently-judged contest. God bless you.

Gershon Wolf January 22, 2021 at 1:42 PM FDR certainly was born leader. How he managed it all, what with his disease -- and to conceal it too -- I just can't imagine... Here's a little something on the humorous side: Yes, FDR was a born leader; but it's a good thing he died, or he might STILL be President. lol. ~ Whistling Dixie, gw

Regina Mcintosh January 22, 2021 at 6:19 AM This is wonderful... I love it and didn't know all that about this president. Thank you for the history lesson and I believe I should read more about this president. God bless you with love and prayers..

Judy Ball January 19, 2021 at 2:10 PM We live in hope and prayer. Well said. God Bless, JB

Anne-Lise Andresen January 19, 2021 at 7:14 AM - Some are "born" for the task ... others not at all ... an excellent poem, Carolyn :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Andrea Dietrich January 18, 2021 at 12:41 PM He sure was a popular one, Carolyn, and lots of good got done! Nice entry for the favorite president contest!

Mike Bayles January 17, 2021 at 6:07 PM Nice memories of struggles of our nation, yet good hope. It's nice to read after the troubles we had over the last four years.

Rico Leffanta January 17, 2021 at 10:50 AM After Trump gutted the nation to increase the wealth of the wealthy, it is good to see Biden planning to put people back to work in government projects, thanks to FDR's lead! Well done, Carolyn! Aloha! Rico Carolyn Devonshire January 18, 2021 at 10:52 AM I think he will live up to FDR's example!

Jennifer Proxenos January 17, 2021 at 5:47 AM Franklin Roosevelt seems was a beloved President, what a far cry to the one who has two days left. Hope your new President will be another President Roosevelt. Love and hugs Carolyn, Jennifer. Carolyn Devonshire January 17, 2021 at 10:36 AM We could really benefit from a president like Roosevelt. When my father was a young man, he found work through FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps and learned to plant crops. Roosevelt was a great model for any president to emulate. Thanks for the visit, Jennifer.

Vijay Pandit January 16, 2021 at 4:33 PM You chose one of our best. So much he did for the common man. Thanks to him we have social security in this country. He was beloved by a grateful nation, just as you describe, Carolyn. A memorial now honors him in DC. Best for a BIG win my friend. Carolyn Devonshire January 17, 2021 at 10:41 AM I doubt any other president could have been elected four times. Social Security is direly needed by our country's seniors. Thanks for reading, Vijay!

Tom Cunningham January 16, 2021 at 4:11 PM A great tribute, Carolyn, he sounds like the ideal man to lead a country, a great shame many didn't follow his style of leadership. I hope J. Biden will bring stability back to your great nation. Hope you're well. Tom

Jan Allison January 16, 2021 at 2:52 PM a wonderful tribute Carolyn I wonder how many poems will be written about Trump.. wish the contest had been open to write about other politicians as i feel i cant write about a US President .. a British prime minister or even one of our own tynwald presidents i could write on lol:-) hugs jan xx Carolyn Devonshire January 17, 2021 at 10:34 AM I would hope you could write about your own leader, Jan. I don't think any president did more to heal a struggling population than Roosevelt. Thanks for the visit!