Mr. President

We poets tend to scribble our thoughts down on little pieces of paper that turn up later as we tidy up our briefcase or desk. Tonight I found one such piece of paper on which I recorded my thoughts at the time of President Regan's death. I remember the trip well especially because of one gentleman from Kentucky who was on board our flight and was terribly upset at the loss of the man he believed was the greatest President of the 20Th Century. "A President who genuinely cared about the people and this nation", he said. How do you find words to express yourself at a time like this? I told him that I would write something down and below is what I sadly wrote upon my arrival in Sweden. Please forgive me for I know the words are not adequate to express the sadness felt by that honorable gentleman from Kentucky or this nation.

Mr. President

I dropped my flag today,
I lowered it half down,
I cried today Lord,
As in the Rotunda,
My son they laid down.

I am America dear God,
The one whom you bless still today,
And all I ask you Lord,
Is bless this son of mine,
As to heaven he makes his way.

A father and a husband,
But yet my greatest son,
I cried today Lord,
As in the Rotunda,
My son they walked around.

Tears of a nation,
What mean they on high?
I know not Lord.
Yet this I know is true,
He always acknowledged you.

I lowered my flag today,
I lowered it half down,
And as your son acknowledges him,
And he picks up his crown,
I cried for him today and the sorrow of my loss.