SIX COMPASSIONATE MEDITATIONS

FOR GEORGE W. BUSH

by Ken Weisner

I

Consider—he was once an innocent boy—

so sleepy in his cowboy suit!

Then, too suddenly,

tangled by that cruelest master, history:

its brutal par fives—its smoky limos

and scary private schools.

II

Be humane. Help him cope with his addiction,

the alcoholism. Ask:

what will bring him closer to God and to himself?

The hairshirt of unemployment?

The cleansing purity

of life on the ranch? Visualize this.

III

Or ponder his dyslexia

so long denied! Be honest with yourself:

he needs more time

for Laura to read to him!

IV

Now reflect upon his shame—

and forgive him for repressing it.

After all, you're glad it wasn't you—

graduating from everywhere, including Yale,

without deserving it—and everybody knew.

V

If you feel anger, this is normal.

Take a cleansing breath.

And as Shakespeare would, be compassionate

to a boy thrust outside himself,

like a puppet on a throne.

VI

So wish him well—wish him revelation.

Meanwhile, in November, lift his hand with God's hand

from the trigger.

Back in Texas, in your mind,

tuck the sweet boy in.

Spring, 2004