I like the interweaving of the two lives in your poem. Another little-known fact about Jimmy Carter is that in 1978, when the opposition candidate won the election in the Dominican Republic, Carter's intervention prevented the incumbent president and his party from carrying out a coup. This set the country on a clear path to free and fair elections, from which it has not strayed since.
A wonderful poem, Marlena. I have loved him too even though I didn't know or register what he did for Panama. I loved him because he reminded me of my father. AND all that decency, integrity and activism.
Jimmy - I didn't know you but I would have liked you.
Marlena,
I love the ping pong-ness of your poem.
Lynn
Thank you Lynn!
I like the interweaving of the two lives in your poem. Another little-known fact about Jimmy Carter is that in 1978, when the opposition candidate won the election in the Dominican Republic, Carter's intervention prevented the incumbent president and his party from carrying out a coup. This set the country on a clear path to free and fair elections, from which it has not strayed since.
I didn’t know that. Excellent! His full life is an inspiration.
A wonderful poem, Marlena. I have loved him too even though I didn't know or register what he did for Panama. I loved him because he reminded me of my father. AND all that decency, integrity and activism.
I just took out your chapbook, The Lapse, and I am reading so many gorgeous moments addressed to your dad. You've made grief beautiful.
desperately needed today! How wonderful that you had a father like him.
You and Jimmy! I love that - I imagine he would too!
Ha ha - but he might cringe at the memory of the resounding loss of the movie actor...though he is well beyond all that and on a higher plane
This is beautiful.
Our lives do intertwine.
Oh, Jimmy--an authentic hero. Love this intertwining.
Thank you Sallie. I so agree! We need Jimmy's in this insane world today. I think Biden came close.