Oh, George
dVerse: Poetics: Step into the Lead
Today we’re going to give secondary characters a voice. Choose a character from a well-known story, myth, book, fairy tale, movie, play, or even song who is not the lead character.
You may pick any character, but it will be more effective if most people know the story.
You may choose any character and any style. There is no form requirement. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
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| Postcard of Martha Washington from a portrait by Gilbert Stuart |
Oh, George…
If you could see your beloved county now.
You, who valued humility.
Deeds before symbols.
Public interest over self.
Oh, George…
It’s best you cannot see.
Your image on the currency,
in opposition to your desires,
a slap in your face.
Oh, George…
A man of principle
is what the country needs.
A man more focused on the people
than a gilded ballroom.
©2026 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved
Martha Washington was the first First Lady of the United States. She was also a shrewd businesswoman, as well as hand-on, highly skilled kitchen gardener. George Washington was her second husband, her first having left her a widow at 26. One interesting thing about her is one of her surviving dresses (after her death her family cut up most of them as keepsakes for friends and relatives), one with all manner of creepy crawlies! Beetles, snails, bees, spiders… even grubs adorn the fabric!
This is not to look back to those early days of the county with fondness, as there was still much injustice, but a comparison of one serving for the people, and one serving for himself. George Washington never wanted his image on currency, he believed leaders should be remembered for their actions, not symbols. He attempted to avoid any appearance of corruption.
I'm not a particular fan of Martha, but your final lines are true. I hope the results of the mid-term elections set us on a better path.
ReplyDeleteI think the comparison was brought to mind when I heard about the golden dollar, which costs well more than a dollar, that is supposed to be celebrating the 250th. On a field trip with my children many years ago the guide talked about George not wanting to be on currency.
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