President Obama celebrating birthday with family and friends.
With reports that the “honeymoon” phase of Barack Obama’s presidency have come to a close, it’s probably a good thing that today is his birthday and, because of that fact, he likely can count on some guaranteed TLC from various camps throughout the nation. The following was initially published in The Savannah Tribune in honor of the president’s inauguration and is presented at this time to say Happy Birthday Mr. President and thank you for hanging in there.
There upon a Bough of Hope and Audacity
Songbird of speckled feathers and new millennium eyes,
you trill notes of democratic vistas heavy with light.
Chords of miraculous notions enrich your blessed voice
with strength to sing dreams into deeds well done.
Above your head Sallie Hemings’ children laugh rainbows.
You are neither Christ nor King nor Lincoln.
But what you are is willing, capable, and sincere,
there upon a bough of hope and audacity
as branded by history as any have ever been.
Knights of global tables toast the lyrics of your vision.
A grand son of two continents, your heart marches
to the glorious world beat of universal drummers,
and your American dream dutifully follows: one step
for peace, another for justice, two more for strength.
Harriet Tubman’s tears splash prayers for your success.
From where you perch, the trade winds of destiny
lift your songs like leaves of silken prophecies,
scattering the soft true gold of their melodies and joy:
to their rhythm a world sways, hums, and dares to believe.
by Aberjhani
(from The Bridge of Silver Wings 2009)
Bridge of Silver Wings 2024 