POEM: February, by Helen Miller

This is the month we recall two great events,

The birthdays of our most beloved presidents,

And it is not my wish to diminish them with jokes

For this would certainly and rightly offend most folks.

But it seems to me George Washington would be amused

To learn how his image in schoolrooms is used

To admonish children not to tell a lie,

And how we celebrate his birthday eating cherry pie.

And how he’s shown standing in a boat not very large

Crossing turbulent waters that would capsize a barge!

I can hear one of his men saying with his heart in his throat,

Please, General, sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat!

Surely, Lincoln would smile at his likeness so solemn and blue

When books say he had a matchless way telling a tale or two,

And to see how much we make of his rail-splitting ability

By baking “Lincoln Logs” to observe his nativity.

Forgive my musing for I truly have much admiration

For the man first chosen to lead our great nation,

And for the man who believed deeply in the equality of man

And that “a house divided against itself cannot stand.”

Submitted by her son,

FRANK MILLER

Post Falls