Poetic Political Commentary: “If” For 2008 Presidential Candidates

Here’s a special original 2008 presidential campaign poetic commentary by TMV’s favorite poet, Michael Silverstein, aka Wall Street Poet.

If Kipling’s poem, “If,” were addressed to 2008 presidential candidates, it might go something like this…

IF

If you can practice a loving faith while others spout a cloying pietism,
And come to be known as the poor man’s friend not the rich man’s front;
If you can recognize the inherent evil of torture,
Doing what’s needed to defend against enemies without dehumanizing them or youself;
If you can serve your country without seeking to make other countries bend to its will,
Listening while leading, building alliances with true friends who truly share your visions;
If you can be respectful to those who disagree with your views,
Compromising to achieve comity without compromising on principle;
If your need to preserve the earth rather than study the question further
Is an underlying guide to all your actions;
If you can carefully balance present and future needs and desires,
Not mortgaging your people’s future for today’s expediencies;
If you ever and always honestly seek to speak truth as you understand it,
Rather than parsing and shading for short-term advantage;
Then, my friend, you’ll be a better President,
And what is more, you’ll be a better person, too.

©2007 Michael Silverstein