Balancing Act

Not only must he talk the talk,
He’s had to learn to walk the walk
Across a tightrope strung between
Tehran’s complaints we intervene
And cries at home for more support
Of marchers whom militias thwart.

Barack Obama wants to face
Whoever won this challenged race.
He’s crucial to Mideastern peace.
Who else could make the strain decrease
Between Israelis and Iran?
Our president’s the one who can.

Besides we ought to ask ourselves,
If someone into history delves,
Do blunders, faults and gaffes allow
That we are holier than thou?
Some errors recall eerily
What in Iran we think we see.

Like Bush Beat Gore, can’t blame Allah.
The High Court gave him Florida.
And JFK beat Tricky Dick.
Perhaps Mayor Daley’s bailiwick,
Chicago—hijinks like abroad—
Included widespread voter fraud

By far a more egregious blot:
Ohio National Guardsmen shot
And killed four students antiwar
At Kent State, madness to deplore.
If other countries condemned us,
I’m certain we’d have made a fuss.