Men of November ( 1963 -2008)

 
 
Today, forty-five years ago,we heaved
this weight to our shoulders,
not seeing, knowing its complete meaning,
yet beckoning to ask why not?

You are now asked to carry this light's great intent:
to find, explore, the fiber and nerve of essential need.
Define ways, delicate means.
Yes, leverage our dexterious technology,
whose logic claims bold, deft plans.

You are the leader, who my very own son,
on a cold winter night, on his campus,
not two years years before --
yes you had sent his eyes aglow, with goose bumps
dancing on his tender pale skin;
he'd gulp hope like he'd feast
on his mom's mashed potatoes ...

Now, we will bring you more, my captain -
you have engaged the imagination
of the whole world watching, one in whom
places informed hope, forged in the school
of knocked about and down and not quite up again.
But surely not out.  Not us.  Not now.
 
And, now together, our first step.