Pray Tell Me~by Paul F. Lenzi

 

 

Pray Tell Me

“The Good People” by Laurie Pace

pray tell me the name of that woman or man
unmoved by allure of ambition and avarice
someone who earns grateful incense of hearts
for their impulse to nobly serve citizenship
for their competent ken of the issues at hand
those vexing intractable problems that trouble
the modernly manifest visions of the founders

pray tell me why neither that woman nor man
stands among the rum throng now comprising
the slate of dull candidates chasing down votes
people painting self-portraits of leadership
playing at roles disingenuous either in whole
or in part unabashed by their very inadequacy
pray tell me what fate is in store for this land

I shudder to think
of the probable answer
selfishly thankful
my life is behind me
alarmed for the future
my grandchildren face
never knowing firsthand
of the flourishing
glory and pride
that preceded them