A Convention Week Poem

I ran across this poem in The New Yorker in a past election year (10-7-96). The poet is Richard Wilbur (and I confess I know nothing about him). But I've always liked this - even as I truly believe Barack Obama will be transformational, if we can just have enough sense to elect him.

(According to my on-line sources "disdegnoso" roughly transfers to "scornful" or "disdainful," while a "manque" is a word for a poser or wannabe).

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IL Disdegnoso

1

He scorns himself because, though he was meant

To lead, he's neither Pope nor President.

2

He scorns his friends more fiercely still, since they

Aren't even Popes or Presidents manques.

3

He further feels that no one but a dope

Could get elected President or Pope.

- Richard Wilbur