Best Cronkite Poems
Some folks are misguided to sincerely believe
That what they hear on the news is fact, indeed,
I hope this poem will help you, friend, to relieve
That dreadful notion, for the “news” is suspect
Of being more commentary than cold, hard fact,
I have found journalism, rather recently, bought
And, I would think, paid for by vested interests~~
Sad for the Walter Cronkites of gilded ages past.
Frankly, I want to see what took place in real time
Just tell me, and show me unfiltered the truth,
And cut the commentary like I need explanation
For I can decide for myself what I see and hear.
And I don’t need a biased “expert” to clear the air
An “expert” who has an axe to grind, or who sees
What happened through his own filtered lenses
All these practices insult my native intelligence.
For goodness sakes, I am not a naïve sheeple
Buying every cockamamy theory down the pike
Matter of fact, I’m smarter than the biased views
Tutored in social media and the evening “news.”
It boggles my mind that folks are so taken in
They can’t see evidence and make good decisions,
Follow conspiracy theorists and loony politicians
Take off the silly hats; let light into your heads!
Written July 23, 2022
Should Remember Walter Cronkite
By Franklin Price
12/3/2016
Should remember Walter Cronkite
Most trusted newsman in the land
He told us what was happening
To help determine where to stand
Reported what was happening
Embellishment was not his thing
Reported, did not make the news
By adding his own flash and bling
I'm sure there is a lesson here
For modern media to adhere
Report the news, don't make the news
I hope I've made this message clear
I thought we had a few of them
'Til this election came along
All the newsmen reporting there
Took sides, which was so very wrong
Reporting news no easy job
Research, confirm, and then report
Don't want to hear what you believe
Not a personalized retort
To regain your reputation
At least the one you have with me
Make an effort to be the man
That Walter Cronkite used to be
If you could only do that now
Your reputation you could save
Or maybe Walter Cronkite took
This type reporting to his grave
Walter Cronkite,
Waxed erudite.
For fifty-six years he reported the news,
Trusted and revered for his truthful views.
Walter was so right,
In his fight for right,
While not too far to the right.
Walter was a shining light,
A guiding light,
All his weight behind the light.
His quotes right on the money,
But not for the sake of the money,
His eyes on everything but money.
Walter told us we need more independent news outlets,
Not a few biased outlets,
Or ones that give only those up to no good outlets.
But most of all we want more than one editing room,
More than one news room,
To give investigative journalism more leg room.
Loud voices
with their measure
No longer
deem to care
Our information feed
corrupt
With broadcast
millionaires
Stars masquerade
as journalists
To pander, slant
and spin
Truth to fester
in their swamp
And sink
— but never swim
(Dreamsleep: December, 2025)