What Bush’s physical didn’t reveal

He’ll run for re-election,
but Mr. Bush can’t jog.
It’s not that George is out of shape.
And no one spiked the nog.
A bad knee seems the culprit.
But there’s more than meets the eye.
His shoulders bear a nation’s weight.
With bent head he has cried.
His hands reach up to heaven.
His arms hug those who mourn.
He turns his back on critic’s barbs
to steer us through the storm.
I know why he is limping.
That pebble in his shoe
is nothing more than what it takes
to care for me and you.

O God, be near our leader.
Please brace him as he leads.
Relieve the pain he often feels
providing for our needs.