MICHAEL DENNIS (Ottawa)

Presidential Prayer

you and I are reasonably close in age, Donald 

our time on earth has been lucky for the both of us

unless you decide to throw sand in the works now

for what seems like forever but it has only been a year, your

ugly promises have spewed forth like a bursting pustule of

cancerous intentions defying logic and reason and soul

know that this is not the way

inside that ornate orange husk there must be a human

now is the time to be that man instead of an evil Caliban

grow a heart instead of that selfish coal

did no one love you as a child

is it time for you to be held, read to as slumber approaches

can kindness break the bleak out of you

know we are now in your hands

wonder at the wonder of this

and find compassion, astonish us all

dare to be kind