The Debate Poem by Grace Diane Jessen

The Republican and the Democrat
Side by side on the rostrum sat.
'Twas half past six, two thousand eight
And time for another big debate.
The elephant and the mule on hand
Appeared to surely understand
There was going to be a terrible spat.
(I wasn't there; I only state
What they told me of the big debate.)

The Democrat said the country was
In a terrible mess and that was because
Of the turmoil over the war in Iraq.
The Republican bristled at this attack
And defended his party's policy,
But the mule and elephant couldn't agree
On which one deserved the most applause.
(Now mind; I'm simply telling you
What I was told, but it must be true.)

The Republican launched an accusation;
The Democrat showed such consternation
The air was littered an hour or two
With charges, retorts, and barbs, a few.
They wielded words like tooth and claw
In the sharpest way you ever saw,
A real political conflagration!
(Don't fancy I'm a lying fool;
I got my news from a talking mule.)

Next morning on the radio,
In news reports, on TV show,
The elephant and the mule were quoted;
Their expertise was duly noted;
They swore this truth with scented breath:
The pair nearly kicked each other to death.
Now do you really think they know?
(I put the elephant on the spot
And he declared that he forgot.)