Pour Le President Johnson Aux Rives De L'amerique.(Translation) . Poem by Michael Walker

The poem is about Lyndon B. Johnson, who was President of the U.S.,
1964-1968. Under Johnson, the Vietnam War escalated greatly, with thousands more American troops sent there to win an unwinnable war. Many in New Zealand opposed the Vietnam War, including Manhire. Some New Zealand troops were sent there to support the Americans.
Mainly because the war became very unpopular in the U.S. Johnson resigned the presidency in 1968.
The poem opens with 'our season for dying'. It is by the throats of trees among dark stones. there is a drumming sound among dark stones (the drums of war are beating) . His (Johnson's)hands magnify the bright coast of the U.S.and touch the skull of the tree, and the people keep whispering of remarkable loves with huge ice dancing on their fingers.