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I thought you might like to know
by Kristina WoodhillDear Mr. Lincoln,
I bought a newspaper today for the first time
in years.
It reports, and to me, celebrates the election
of an African American as President of
the United States of America,
a term that, understandably, might confuse you,
as our lexicon, remarkably, has evolved beyond
five and six-letter words beginning with "s" or "n"
to denote a particular group of people.
I thought you might like to know.
We have the ability now, Mr. Lincoln, to read
the news, see people from across the world,
buy and sell, check the weather for tomorrow,
send and receive personal messages,
all while sitting at a desk in the comfort of our
homes, looking into a window on the world,
pressing a few buttons like playing a small piano.
I think you would enjoy this revolution of
movement of thought.
There is a new music playing today, Mr. Lincoln,
a lighter step-in-time that buoys me, for one,
and I must thank you for taking that hard step
to begin the emancipation of a people because
it was the right thing to do, not because it was
economically sound nor politically expedient.
You must have noticed the surging crowd standing
with you last night on your side of the bridge.
respectfully,
Dear Mr. Johnson,
You were one long-horned bully from Texas,
Mr. Johnson, your high ideals, loud, in-your-face style,
larger-than-life man among men and politicians and
wheeler dealers. You were a senate tornado blown
in on the hot wind of power and ambition, a presidential
wannabe, and a vice presidential cast aside.
I think you already knew that.
I bought a newspaper today for the first time in years.
I couldn't help but think of all the bills you pushed
through, slid by, bought, and just plain held the door
open for through sheer force of will. You wanted to help
everyone and you wanted to do it now. The fluke of
your presidency was not a lost opportunity, Mr. Johnson.
I think you know where I'm going with this.
I do have to wonder if the Civil Rights' bills
and the Voter's Rights bill of the 1960's would
have happened without your bully pulpit, Mr. Johnson.
It may truly be that you were in the right place at the
right time for this nation's next step. Sorry about all
the burning and tear up afterward, but the Phoenix
appears to be rising from the ashes and
I thought you might like to know.
Respectfully,
A devoted fan
11/05/2008 Posted on 11/05/2008
Copyright © 2025 Kristina Woodhill
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Jeffrey Parren on 11/05/08 at 07:26 PM Wow. This is very well written and said even better. It almost seems like you could have kept going. We are all witness to a historical moment, perhaps one of the biggest ever. I too, wonder if they could ever have invisioned this...~JPP |
| Posted by Alison McKenzie on 11/05/08 at 08:42 PM You never cease to amaze me. I'm not too active when it comes to politics, but even I appreciate this....SOOOOO much! We are, indeed, in the throws of great history! |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 11/05/08 at 10:22 PM Some very good points m'lady, and laid out in a great style. I'm not sure how Lincoln would see things but I believe Johnson felt bound to push through what Kennedy started and might not have been able to accomplish. In any case really nice write! |
| Posted by Scott Utley on 11/05/08 at 11:04 PM Isn't this wonderful? Sure is! I love the man Lincoln, and I have grown to appreciate LBJ as I learn more about him. He had so much pain in his eyes. Anyhow, William Styron said it best in the last line of Sophie's Choice, 'It is not judgment day, only morning, excellent and fair.' |
| Posted by Charles E Minshall on 11/06/08 at 12:00 AM Great poem about an amazing time Kris...CharMin |
| Posted by Stephan Anstey on 11/06/08 at 01:55 AM nicely done. disagree completely, but nice poem. |
| Posted by Mary Frances Spencer on 11/06/08 at 03:14 AM Write on! MFS |
| Posted by Bruce W Niedt on 11/07/08 at 01:35 AM This sounds like a response to Robert Brewer's "soapbox" prompt. In any case, it's just excellent. Well-spoken, from the heart, and on-target.... d:-) |
| Posted by David Hill on 11/25/08 at 11:26 PM It must have been lonesome at times. There really are people who do what is right, despite terrible and popular beliefs to the contrary. Their acts are inspiring, and I need reminding.
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| Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 02/03/09 at 12:50 PM you said it correctly, Kristina. right time, right place and right frame of mind, makes the man the woman and the nation always seem to do the right thing. for certain these two were titans of potential freedom for all and not some, and it is still potential freedom as we speak, and not a certainty. |
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