President-elect Obama had to remind members of the American press yesterday that there can only be one president at a time. The impatience to get him squared away in the White House is palpable. Mr. Bush has become the lamest of lame ducks.
I, too, am feeling impatient, just like everyone else. Wondering how and what I can do to help implement the changes so fiercely needed. How will things work in the new administration? What will this city feel like after January 20th? How will I know what to do?
When I get especially antsy, I like to just stop, sit down and read poetry. Poetry almost always slows me down and allows my nervous system to understand that getting all worked up won't help anything.
The following describes my state of mind perfectly. Thanks Robert, for your dreams and powers of articulation!
1.
In a field full of swarming
though not stinging
bees
I am playing croquet
I do not know the rules
and have never played before
not really
save a game on someone's lawn
as a child
The person in front of me scores
three points somehow
Soon it will be my turn.
--Robert Walton, photographer, artist, writer and ex-DC blogger extraordinaire from his book entitled "Twelve Dreams, a Transcription"
Ducks and their watery reflections in the fountain at Lafayette Park, just north of the White House.
9 comments:
...And then blue heaven spread
Its crystalline pendentives on the sea
And the macabre of the water-glooms
In an enormous undulation fled.
- Wallace Stevens
Fabulous. Love Wallace Stevens! Thanks artsparker!
This little poem is wonderful!! Thanks for the introduction.
I also loved how Obama elegantly handled his first press conference.
I thought he did a great job, though perhaps the Nancy Reagan joke should have been avoided. :)
The poem is terrific. People really are ready for this change. I'm just hoping Bush won't pull any stunts on his way out of office.
Later yesterday afternoon, Obama called Nancy Reagan to apologize.
Everyone says the wrong thing here and there. But Obama is thoughtful; he recognized what he said could have been hurtful and made amends. I salute him!
quack, quack - you are soooo right about w being the lamest of lame ducks, not hard since he's been lame since day 1!
what a model obama is -- he is measured, patient, and kind. I missed part of the press conference so missed the reagan remark, but not surprised that he would call to apologize when he realized his remark could be hurtful.
I got a big chuckle, as did everyone I'm sure, about his crack about being a mutt!
nice duckies!
Hey, there's a little something waiting for you over at the manor!
It does feel good to breath again, knowing that there just might be a breath of fresh air out there, even in Washington. A man of honor, truly. Let's hope America grows up and accepts our responsibilities to the world. We are no longer this little empire, we are the world, as they are us, all the one...equal.
This is evident even among the 5-and-6-year-old children I teach who refuse to believe that Obama is not the president and question Lauren and I on the purpose of waiting. They can be a tough crowd who demand answers I can't always give them.
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