GEORGE WASHINGTON – REMEMBRANCE
Farmer, gentleman, Founding Father,
Soldier, statesman, éminence grise,
He who served when called, when strength was needed
who volunteered to lead us forth.
Revolutionary, citizen, confounder to the King
Patriot general to his army, he suffered winter’s sting,
Leader of our infant nation, setting precedent
teaching those who followed after, how to be President.
That he might die for others to live
Is not a time for sorrow,
He spent his life, his time on Earth
for nation, for tomorrow.
Two centuries after he has passed
he’s treated with respect,
Recalling his example set
we follow it, lest we forget.
David Balford, New London NH
GEORGE REMINISCES
He sits quietly and ponders, rubbing his jaw
Thinking of the tales with something of awe…
‘How can my teeth – or serious lack thereof –
Become a topic of great interest’ he asks the above.
But God doesn’t answer, likely smiles at mans quirks
Knowing more important things are in need of his work.
George snickers at rumors of his teeth made from wood
Who would think that practical? No one wise ever would!
Consider them wet, warping while in his mouth during meals,
How ridiculously uncomfortable that would make him feel!
No, his dentist developed dentures with such consideration in mind
For use and for comfort - and let’s not forget what he could find.
Materials such as Ivory - a favorite – or brass, both the norm,
Or gold, when ocassions called for a smile and fancier form.
So as George sits reminiscing over the focus of his teeth
Little did he know the wrong stories that would keep
Through the years and become one of many inaccurate lore
Of things that were skewed in the telling and more…
Makes one wonder, at times, which stories are true,
And he considers this thinking how past tales always grew.
Historians at the time, oft wrote stories with their personal view
Not considering the need to be accurate when sharing “the facts”
Ah, time is a great teacher, examples or tales with so many extracts
But reminiscing again, we think of George Washington our first Pres. elect
Who for one, was also remembered for false dentures - but what the heck??
S. J. Little, Newbury NH
HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION
My name is George Washington. I am twelve
years old. It was a sad summer for me.
My father died and my grief I had to shelve
as much older siblings said, “mother, she
needs you.” I inherited hundreds of acres and
ten slaves, who I wanted to quickly free
but the plantation needed workers
to run it, a problem I could already foresee.
My formal education came to a halt
but my thirst for knowledge grew.
I was lord of the manor by default
yet self-education I did pursue.
So this summer I became a man
believing surely it was all in God’s plan.
Dianalee Velie, Newbury NH
I REMEMBER…
Ah; Col. Tilghman,the best of aides,sharp with a pen,yet, could handle a blade.
Ned was his horse,clever and smart,always listening,offering a remark.
They’d get to arguingthe Colonel and Ned,during long marcheslike a couple long wed.
Many an hour passed,as we moved at a canterlistening to the twoargue and banter.Ned often won,getting the Colonel’s goatthen he’d whinny,a long horsey gloat.
I raise a glass to Col. Tilghman and Ned,whom I hope to see again after I’m dead.
Douglas King, Newport NH
FOUNDING FATHER
George, a Founding Father, that is who I am,yes, the first born nephew of Uncle Sam.
About the cherry tree, I cut down, who lies?
Crossing the Delaware River, afloat I watched the sunrise.
Needing people on our side, I commissioned the Culper Ring.
To lure the Brits from the coast it was I who ran the sting.
I led my troops in battle, at Valley Forge we frozeand starved, but held together to defeat our foes.
Birthing a new nation to welcome those who flee,
E Pluribus Unum, yearning to be free.
Patsy Barrett-King, Newport NH
GEORGE WASHINGTON REMINISCES ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF WAR FOR AMERICANS
Washington’s breath freezes in the dark unheated cabin
Reason would have him surrender to disease and the enemy
He rallies his underfed, sick, ragged Continental army to do the impossible
Future American soldiers answer the call and paid the consequences
My brother’s ear was opened to remove a tumor winding around his acoustic nerve
A chochlear implant now conducts sound
His tumor was seeded in Viet Nam jungles, along water ways sprayed with defoliants
A remnant of war, that went to war with his neurons
His eyes now hear the ground and balance his body
He teaches himself to walk and move like a ballerina who fixes on a point
His neurons fire all day, keeping him moving, walking, cooking
Steel crania plates sound the alarm of high pressure, storm brewing
The hush of woods, fresh snow, swish of fall leaves transforms him
He becomes a kid
Exploring Lake Massabesic or climbing ledges of Tower Hill
No need for conversation that might trigger a stammer
Attention to detail and patience mark his days
Pen and ink drawings express his heart
His dog has become companion and touch stone
His pie crusts are browned to perfection folded over pheasant fresh from the fields
Kathleen Skinner Shulman, New London, NH
REMEMBER ME
I didn’t go away to school, maybe I didn’t want to.
Writing was hard. I wrote in my Sketchbooks, learned
by copying Virginia law and translating from French
110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior.
I kept a journal of my comings, goings, weather, but
nothing really of myself, my hopes, my dreams.
Years pass and I do other’s biddings. My father
died when I was eleven.
I went from practicing the curls
of letters to sending men into
battle in ten years. I did not
chop down the cherry tree.
I did escape to the fields to
fish and hunt and I always
wished to return home. Yet
when I was called, I went.
Yes, I owned slaves but treated them kindly.
Yes, I ‘bought’ Indian’s land, yet I sought
their wisdom. I felt the need
to own more, to do more.
Many people have said I was
wise, courageous, kind, selfless.
I was appointed to my first post at 16,
served in war, in government, and finally as President.
I don’t think I was necessarily
more qualified or did a better job.
I just kept going, kept taking on
more responsibilities.
I kept many things to myself: the pain
of my teeth, the sadness of no blood heirs,
my individual beliefs, my dyslexia—Hamilton even
wrote my farewell presidential speech.
I ask you to remember me
for my love of family,
and duty to country.
Jennie Pollard, Windsor, VT
WASHINGTON’S TESTAMENT
I did not say
what we had given you was perfect—
I did not say
our words were carved in rigid stone—
I did not say you would not struggle,
nor you would not face profound divisions.
I did not promise you, beyond our yearning hope
for what a borning nations’s dreams could realize.
But I did say,
Through unity, we triumph.
I did say,
Extremes enslave.
Joan T. Doran, New London NH