Citizen Barack Obama Poem by Robert Charles Howard
Citizen Barack Obama
As the Metrolink Eastbound
hissed to a stop at Belleville Station,
we carried our hopes
across the threshold.
Like a river gathering streams
for its seaward journey,
each stop brought more heartland souls
bound for the Gateway Arch.
The doors parted at Laclede’s Landing
and we poured onto the Arch grounds.
Car after bus after train came and
filled the greens to overflowing.
As noon approached, a human sea
stretched from the Arch
to the old courthouse steps
where the gavel had once fallen
on Dred Scott’s sacred liberty.
Then a slender Afro-American
stepped up to the mike
and 100,000 heartbeats were fused as one
by his calm and confident voice
By the shore of the Mississippi,
hope shined like the sun at its zenith
promising renaissance to all
who would be touched by its rays.
October 18, 2008
You have frozen a historical moment with elogent and clearly-stated words. We can hope that the sun keeps shining. Very well done. hope shined like the sun at its zenith promising renaissance to all who would be touched by its rays.
And we have lived to see an Afro-American in the White House. An inspired poem, Robert. Beautifully written. You have my applause. Always your friend, Sandra
A good solid, restrained piece of poetry. The image (for one who is a stranger to the landmarks you reference) is great. The names are image enough. I like the Citizen in the title, as with Alison. it gives that reminder that the US is a democracy and this man can influence that democracy. A great build up and a very spiritual piece of writing as all good poetry should be.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/30/2024 6:00:36 PM # 1.0.0.1119
It's good to remember. The hope still lives. Wonderful narrative, Robert. You do this very well.