William Howard Taft


He spreads 
his hands to any
who will take him 
and his face is 
wreathed in smiles
at the slightest
provocation.



Slight paraphase of a description by Louise (Taft's mother)of WHT as a baby-- quoted in Doris Kearns Goodwin, The Bully Pulpit)

Comments

  1. This is a very effective little piece of verse, because it's unsettling. A reader wonders: Is it meant to be ominous? Funny? Critical? The ambiguity gives us much to think about.

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  2. Jeff, thank you. As you well know you write with an intent and it is always illuminating to learn what others have seen. I'm rereading with what you wrote in mind. Thank you.

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