The Declaration of Dependence Our Presidents Have Voiced

We honor former Presidents
who steered our Ship of State.
In powdered wig or blow-dried hair,
each made our nation great.

Each took an oath acknowledging
a Higher Power’s aid.
And in an office oval-shaped,
each squared his knees and prayed.

Each understood America’s
uniquely servant role
in planting freedom’s seeds abroad
no matter what the toll.

Those living and those long-since dead
found strength in one short phrase.
“In God We Trust” was grounds for hope
on good (and stressful) days.

And so we think of George and Abe,
of Gerald, Jimmy, Bill
and all the others in the list
who sought God for His will.

Looking at Valentine’s Day through the lens of a lifetime

Forget your dancing shoes.
Remember your walking stick.

Romance is a dance of passion
choreographed by the capricious emotions
of desire.

But lasting love is a daily walk
where the talk of commitment
makes steady progress
toward the destination of a lifetime.

It’s an adventure trek into tomorrow
where the surprises you encounter
beyond the bend
are both a shared and priceless prize.

It’s a hike on a mountain path
that encompasses breathtaking vistas,
valleys of disappointment
and fog-shrouded plateaus
where companionship
doubles your joy
and divides your sorrow.

It’s a slow-motion shuffle
when, as an elderly couple,
you hold hands
(having held true to your word)
and whisper to each other,
“After all these years I still do!”

It’s a lonely stroll
down a quiet corridor
that leads you to a certain room
where one connected to monitors and tubes
still recognizes your voice
and smiles as you ask
“Will you be my valentine?”

Don’t settle for the fleeting dance of romance.
Make your relationship a walk to remember.

Remembering Johnny Carson

We said farewell twelve years ago.
And now we say goodbye.
We missed you, Johnny.
Now we grieve. You were too young to die.

You were our late-night talk show king.
We loved you on your throne.
We paid you homage with our laughs.
For thirty years we groaned.

With Ed McMahon at your side
and Doc leading the band,
you ruled the night with wit and charm.
Your shows were never bland.

While trumpet fanfares are the norm
to welcome queens and kings,
“Heeeere’s Johnny!” brought you out each night
from waiting in the wings.

There’s no one who can take your place.
King Carson, you’ve no peers.
You’ve left a hole within our hearts.
Our cheeks are stained with tears.