Poems: Pennsylvania Avenue

Forgive me for my parody of “And to Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street” by Dr. Seuss:

When I leave home to go to congress

My voters always say to me

Citizens must keep your eyes open less you miss

You really must see what you can see

But when I tell them where’ve I’ve been

And what I think I’ve seen

They look at me and sternly say

You make the bizarre much too routine

Stop telling such outlandish tales

Stop turning minnows into whales

Now what can I say

When I get home today

What indeed could I say what is oddly true

Of what I saw on Pennsylvania Avenue

I’ve seen men in uniform marching in step

Marines in rhythm shouting hup hup hep

There was a marching band blaring loud

Playing God bless American to the cheering crowd

Flags galore waving in the breeze

And not one daring to take a knee

Mighty tanks come next along the street

Why be humble, quiet, and discreet

Why even we can parade the nuclear weapons

Showing off that we got the bigger guns

And that makes a story that’s really not bad

But it still could be better.  Suppose that I add

Guns galore brandished on shoulders

Of dozens of very tired soldiers

Soldiers who’d much rather be home with beer

But marched out by a president who needs to be cheered

A president much like Tinkerbell

Because faeries need clapping they tell

For belief in them is the attention they need

And upon adoration and praise they feed

Yes, we all do love a festive parade

But why does it have to be such a silly charade?

See the man in the fake uniform at the center of the route

Let’s all give him an appropriately royal salute

Yes, I had seen this glorious bombastic review

And to think I saw it on Pennsylvania Avenue

This is Presidents’ Day weekend.  Remember:  Lincoln never got to see the Grand Review of the Armies along Pennsylvania Avenue that Lincoln had earned.