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This poem was just written for Barack Obama in his inauguration as the next President of the United States. The news says he may be looking for a poet to be at the ceremony and read.

Whether known to others or not, this poem still stands like a bit of spiritual teaching in support of an enlightened Presidency and nation, one, America, that many think has fallen far from grace during the last Presidency.

America – The President – 2009

America The President 2009

As the American Eagle Flies
As the bird wife nests on the tallest tower
As the lean labor in the fields seeking sustenance
As the citizens vote for change and justice

Let the American eagle dip its wings
Yet never freedom falter shattered at heart
Yes, the American eagle’s wings may dip
But they must never be broken

Land of the free that has to be brave
Land of riches shared with the poor
Land of Greatest Powers
And Greatest Need to be humble

I would not be President
Unless the Will of the People made it so
The colonnades of the Lincoln Memorial
Hold up democracy against its thorns
The Obelisk stands strong and tall
While the world’s teeming masses
Struggle to support themselves

American of tanks and guns,
Of technology supreme,
Of chosen warriors to do their job

America of the Brave and the Free
When will you also do compassion’s tasks?
Bid the world love as well as be free
By being first to accept
And last to scorn another?

Deny not that principle rules over power
That ethics rule over divisive acts
That incompetence destroys
Just as well as deceit

America, be equally brave
Against misuse of power
As you are brave against the oppressor

America, land of the beautiful and strong,
What will you do also for the distorted ones
Lost in their violence, their greed,
Their weakness, their fears
That tear others apart?

Eloquence is action
Intention is a balanced world
Ethics are the sunshine of the future life

America, rise from your shame,
Your defaults, your pleasures,
Your racial divides, especially your anguish

Again sing your praises
To an almighty Wisdom
A purified anger to be just
An enlightened mind
A compassionate heart

America, I salute you, I work for you freely,
I give my all to the best that you can be,
Because I being free will make you free,
Respectful of the peoples.

Ask not what your country can do for you
Ask only, what you can do for the world

A great nation makes for a humble President
Those who lessen the Presidency
Lessen the People

Those who live the Presidency to the full
Express the Will of The People in full

Greatness must be balanced by competency
Compassion by respect for the resources
Given to all humanity to protect and develop

A President maximizes not power
So much as the People’s Will
For an Ethical and Fulfilling Life

To fulfill others we must fulfill ourselves
To fulfill a nation we must work together
To fulfill a world we must not let power reign

To live for the well-being of all nations
We must exhibit love
In our own land and people

Ask not what the people
Will do for you as President,
Ask instead what you as President
Will do for all the peoples of your land
For all the peoples of this earth

Extoll the children of a nation to higher ground
Root commerce in creating the best for all
Govern the land, not with an iron fist
Not with deception, but with the honest truths
From and for the people as Freedom’s Child

Balance courage with cunning and respect
Balance ignorance with the will to know

Balance inadequacy with the right resources
For growth
Balance with justice by taking stands
Against deceivers

Stand firm in crisis
Yield that which is lesser
In favor of that which is greater

Shake every person’s hand
Yet demand also with a firm grip
Responsibility to the values of a nation

Affirm your country’s values
Yet not over and above other nations
Unless wrongs are greater than
Many right actions for humanity

May being pure of heart be the will of all
May ignorance not be acted upon
May no man or woman distort the truth
To deceive a nation

Demand not, but first serve
Insist not but first achieve
Deny not, but first give freely
Deceive not, but first be the responsible one

Freedom is gained in the sacrifice
Of injustice and of the greed for power

A nations’ heros are the architects of its freedom
A nations’ warriors give their lives
For an extended peace
A nations’ leaders give cooperation and gain it
A nations’ people work harder
To affirm than to criticize

One justice for all
One equality among all peoples and cultures
One right to live fairly and securely
One vote per person together
Shall be for the greater vote for the good of all

In God we trust
In a nation we build
In affirming rights over power we unite
In leading we acknowledge being led

What we stand for we are known by
What we honor affirms us as well as the people

Hope, liberty, prosperity
The rights of humanity acknowledged
The directing of power towards good causes
The humility to act
Only from truth and not ambition
The will to that which is greater
Is what rules over all

Thus shall the American Eagle’s wings
Heal yet remain unbroken!

–Strephon Kaplan-Williams
www.StrephonSays.com/blog/

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