Waiting for the Moment

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Barack H. Obama places his hand on a Bible as Michelle Obama holds the Bible when The Honorable John Roberts, chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, adminsters the oath of office January 20, 2009 on the west balcony of the Capitol building in Washington D.C.  The Bible used was used when Abraham Lincoln was sworn in as president.

Waiting for the Moment

An Illinois Senator told a nation, “Yes we can.”
Barack Obama was the name of the man,
And in an historic election, he was the first
Afro-American chosen as U.S. President.
He took the oath Jan.20, 2009 in one of the
Most attended of all inaugural events.
Now, every move he makes becomes
A new chapter in our nation’s history.
A change such as this was created by
Attacks on his race’s moral integrity,
And he was waiting for the moment
For his turn to continue the legacy
That anyone can work hard, succeed
In life, and still have personal liberties.

In times of foreign wars and a failing economy
Obama brings a ray of hope and prosperity.
He is from a family of a mixed heritage,
And experienced the power of diversity
When applied with the potential of the
Coming together of the whole community.
All the while, he extends his personal beliefs
To a strong resolve and honest integrity.
His words to youth, and to the old, were
Transmitted by Internet technology
For a call to change of old ideas and
Reversal of Bush Administration’s policies.
Obama was waiting for the moment
For his turn to continue the legacy
That anyone can work hard, succeed
In life, and still have personal liberties.

Obama is referencing historical context,
Using famous speeches and documents.
There was a time when crowds gathered at
Washington which King outlined his dream.
Decades before, Abraham Lincoln had
Witnessed a nation torn apart at the seams.
Old problems become new again, and new
Ones are added, like energy that is clean.
As a nation, he wants to protect Americans,
Wherever they are, without looking mean.
He has become a model for man who
Knows his style of clothes is always keen.
He shows a love for his wife and family
And plays basketball to stay physically lean.
Obama was waiting for the moment
For his turn to continue the legacy
That anyone can work hard, succeed
In life, and protect their families.

This poem took a long time for me to write, since most of my poems are without a particular person named, and exact locations and circumstances are not usually defined. Also this poem is longer than most, but due to the nature of the subject, the length is justified.  This poem is unusual for me because of the subject matter. Most of the time, politics and poetry don’t go together.  This is about an unusual person in an unusual time historically, economically and globally. Besides, I can break my rules I make, sometimes.