Politics Must Temper Greed with Dreams

 

A poem for Presidents Day:

 

Politics must temper greed with dreams,
Regarding both as reasons to seek power,
Ends that would forego non-peaceful means
So long as each in turn might claim its hour.
In such ebb and flow the Founders found
Democracy, that perfect imperfection,
Establishing for all a common ground:
None rule without winning an election.
The key to governance is compromise,
Seeking a consensus that will yield,
'Mid interest groups of every stripe and size,
Distinct majorities that power wield.
Autocrats take power by violent means,
Yet democrats take power through greed and dreams.

 

© by Nicholas Gordon

 

Audio and Video Music: Renaissance Castle. By Doug Maxwell. Music free to use at YouTube. Illustration Credit: AI.

 

To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/polit2.html. For more poems for Presidents Day, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/presidentsdaypoems.html .

Praised Be Those Who Would Distribute Power

February 17, 2021

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is politics in honor of Presidents Day, which this year is celebrated on February 15.

I welcome comments on my poems at https://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com.

A political poem for Presidents Day about the virtues of the separation of powers:

Praised be those who would distribute power,
Reconciled to bickering and waste,
Enduring, even in the darkest hour,
Such hacks as pander to the popular taste.
In such a system, life can be frustrating,
Demanding patient tolerance to rule.
Everyone has blessings worth berating,
Nor need one much at stake to be a fool.
The president is forced to be a leader
Since all are free to follow or oppose;
'Mid maelstroms, both captain and conceder,
Deftly tacking when a headwind blows.
All know divided power leads to strife,
Yet few would yield to one vain will their life.

© by Nicholas Gordon

To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/praise4.html. For more poems for Presidents Day, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/presidentsdaypoems.html .

This week’s theme: Politics.
February 15: President’s Day? Presidents’ Day? Or Presidents Day?
February 16: What Might Make a Person Want to Lead
February 17: Praised Be Those Who Would Distribute Power