"When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the areas of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses."
--John F. Kennedy, speech (Amherst College, October 26, 1963)
Tale of Two Fathers
From Kenya to the U.S.A. he went
America gifted him a college scholarship
He married a white woman,
While in Kenya his wife was awaiting him.
He divorced the white woman and left behind his 2-year-old son
He then took another woman home to Kenya
He was troubled by being married to his first wife still...
His 2-year-old son now grown, runs for U.S. president
He is proud of the good luck that America gave him
He is a lucky Kenyan father. *
In the Pacific Ocean, another father was looking at the horizon,
Guiding his ships through the troubled waters and war
His heartbeats surfed the waves of Faith that America bestowed upon him
Now he is looking down from the skies, feeling proud of his soldier son,
Who is inspired to be the U.S. Commander in Chief...
Linh Duy Vo
October 2, 2008 ©
Poet's Notes:
Each year, colleges across America produce thousands of lawyers.
* "Dreams from My Father" by Obama
"Faith of My Fathers" by McCain
© Copyright by Linh Duy Vo. All rights reserved.