Partisans

Brian Sankarsingh shares a poem from his book A Sliver of a Chance

Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash

Once a month I will be featuring a poem from one of my books. This poem is from my debut book A Sliver of a Chance, Insights and Observations of a Canadian Immigrant. It was written in late 2018 in an attempt to show the silliness of an electorate that falls for the divisivnes and partisan rhetoric instead of holding leaders to a higher standard. - Brian Sankarsingh

Richard Nixon, when questioned by a New York Times reporter on his role in Watergate replied “people have got to know whether or not their President is a crook. Well, I’m not a crook.”

Although there may be other relevant examples among many North American leaders, I decided to start this poem with Richard Nixon solely because of that statement. Though this, is by no means, and indictment of the man, it is undoubtedly a condemnation of the diminished prestige of the office over the ensuing years.  

What’s the danger in diminishing,  
The prestige of the President? 
Is there a negative consequence? 
Or are there nuances of intent?  

Is it okay for a President, 
As standards begin to abate, 
To vehemently deny his involvement,  
When facing Watergate? 

Is it really okay for a President, 
To get a blowjob from an aide? 
Can’t he be a good commander-in-chief, 
But still need to get laid? 

What about if he can’t help but destroy, 
The very language that we speak? 
Does that make him any less stronger?  
Better yet, does it make us any less weak? 

Or what if the man is a smoker, 
In a time when it's no longer right? 
Can that lead to any problems?  
Would it matter if he was White? 

Or hey, what if he likes to “grab pussy?” 
Or enriches himself on the job? 
Are we getting any better or worse, 
Than the guy who just got the blowjob? 

When a person gets into Office 
They’re the most powerful person alive!  
We must demand a higher standard, 
For our democracy to ever thrive! 

We must have confidence in our leaders, 
Whether we support them or no; 
At least to make good decisions,  
Else why do we even follow?  

Can it be because we’re partisan? 
That would be the worst of all things. 
Then we’ll never elect skilful leaders, 
Only, despots who want to be king. 

Bio: BRIAN SANKARSINGH is a Trinidadian-born Canadian immigrant who has published several books of poetry on a wide range of social and historical themes including racism, colonialism, and enslavement. Sankarsingh artfully blends prose and poetry into his storytelling creating an eclectic mix with both genres. This unique approach is sure to provide something for everyone.

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