Sheila Nevins | 10/09/2008 8:15 am

Lincoln Reacts to an Obama Button

Abraham Lincoln Winked at Me

An Interactive Poem by Sheila Nevins

I saw Abraham Lincoln wink at me.
The statue that is.
Nighttime in D.C. The darkness. The light. He is breathtaking.
There on business I have the taxi stop; I always visit in the dark.
This complex president: He thrills me.
The quiet. The reverberating stillness of stone.
Never tiring. Just waiting. Slightly hopeful.
Breathless I climb the stairs and look up at this great man.
I am intimidated by the power and the words that surround …
"CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY," they make me tear.
"… DEDICATED TO THE PROPOSITION THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL …"
Boy this guy could write.
A long workday. Wearing an Obama button on a tired blouse.
Now, almost, maybe,
Could Abe have dreamed such a happening?
So soon. So late. So, I took off my O-button and laid it at his feet.
The guard would remove it soon, but, for now, it was a quiet night and no one watched.
I looked up at his beautiful face and Lincoln winked — so help me, God.
I rushed to shuttle home;
The last plane out.
I was there.
It happened.

Read more about: Abraham Lincoln, History, Poetry, Politics, Presidents, Washington D.C.

31 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

And if that statue came to life for just a moment, perhaps he’d step down, take you by the hand, pick up that Obama button and say, “Shelia, my beauty, any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the RIGHT to rise up, and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better. May you and your better angels prevail.” With that he’d plant a kiss on your forehead, give another wink and return to his stone cold perch. No one, you think, will ever believe this and so you write a poem, say he winked, but keep those words and that kiss to yourself.

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 10/09/2008 8:53 am

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A 21st century token of hope, change and strength set at the feet of a majestic homage to a 19th century protector of The American Constitution. Men who share the qualities of integrity, legal education and courage to do what is right rather than expedient, to dare to hold on to ideals in a country torn apart by its own citizens. Imperfect, yes, but able to draw forth the good in each of us. Americans both, to whom their fellow countrymen turn for answers in desperate times. A wink of assurance confirms that today’s critical decision must be firm. In the mean time, who among us would not long to crawl onto the lap of the giant in the light of the dark night and feel safe in his arms? Peace and grace

By beth willis on 10/09/2008 9:10 am

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Ok Sheila, you’ve given my goosebumps. And the comments by Phyllis and Beth followed them up with a warm feeling of hope that true patriotism rather than some militaristic neocon perversion of it will prevail.

By Sherrie Crews on 10/09/2008 9:23 am

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Inexperienced Illinios Senator - Lincoln? Obama? I’ll take my chances.

By Sandbee (FB) 54 on 10/09/2008 9:27 am

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take your chances with Obama—-and never forget—-‘the victories write the histories’—-a Lincoln quote? ‘I have never, nor will ever consider the black race the equal of the white, nor will i ever permit their intermarriage’. for Christ’s sakes has Nobody read ‘The Irony of Democracy’? while many of his generals applauded his death, i feel that an error, as the damage of ‘our-Stalin’, The Reconstruction, could have benefited by his rule, not much else—-he turned what may have been a true republic into one monster totalitarian entity—-elected by fiscal, not freedom’s interest—-what to expect—- if you can’t find the above book, try Howard Zinn’s ‘History of America’—-‘The Truth Should Make You Free’—-but never forget that famous quote—-‘give me a child until ten years old, mine forever’—-forget who said that, but apparently so true—-

By gulliver fourmyle on 10/09/2008 9:28 pm

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Zinn’s book would open a lot of eyes––wide––and the quote is…until seven (age of reason). If one tries to inoculate after seven it’s a much harder task. I believe this stems from the Catholic church––had to do with religious training.

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 10/09/2008 11:15 pm

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7 0r10? seven makes more sense—-one thing you learn from Phds on ‘personality’ and possible disorders—-the earlier experience has priority—-even to adulthood—-and is essentially untreatable where disorders ‘present’—-years of this bunch, at both large personal cost, and social, not to mention being raised by same has really given me a knack for spotting ‘borderlines’—-far more are women, attributed to their higher sexual abuse as children—-that’s what scares me on Palin—-surf, no need to trust my observations—-learn—-then fear this woman—-

By gulliver fourmyle on 10/10/2008 3:47 am

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There are so many new thoughts on how you treat children, my 3 have turned out great, and no don’t give me anymore I’m tired. But I wonder how they are going to turn out now, when they have teachers going to jail all of the time, for drugs, sex with students (older than 7 but not by much) prostitution. They have parents who go to one extreme or the other very strick or best friend. They have a world where they were being given everything, now suddenly, they may not get what they want.

By Sandbee (FB) 54 on 10/10/2008 5:36 am

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may eyes be opened, when glued shut by childhood propaganda? rather doubt it—-thanks

By gulliver fourmyle on 10/10/2008 4:05 am

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Sheila, Very moving poem. I felt myself standing right too.

By Barbara Taylor on 10/09/2008 10:30 am

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I have a phobia of statues. Don’t know why. I don’t go out of my way to get close to them, and when I encounter one unexpectedly, I’ve been known to just fall down and cry. If I ever had the courage to look one in the face, wink or no wink, I’m confident it would send me screaming into the night. And if, as Beth imagines, the giant stone would rise from his seat and pick me up like Fey Ray in the fist of a dusty King Kong…well, I don’t think I’d to live to tell the tale, kiss or no kiss. As much as we’d all love a safe lap to crawl into, I’ll limit my fantasies about Lincoln to putting his words into my mouth as I study the Constitution. And imagine his living face be-calmed with approval at any attempt I might make to paraphrase Lincoln’s understanding of that document. Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals” brought Lincoln to life for me in the first months of 2006. I applaud Sheila’s verse, as always, but for me, the imagery is slightly traumatic. .

By Ms. Dee on 10/09/2008 11:14 am

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Ms. Dee, I have a similar phobia of the present administration’s ‘statutes’, particularly as I see Americans across the country fall to their knees and cry. Yes, embrace what words and symbols comfort you and give you hope. Peace and grace

By beth willis on 10/09/2008 2:12 pm

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Yo! Beth! I’m shoulder-to-shoulder with you on the present administration’s unconsciounable bludgeon of America. It doesn’t make me weak in the knees. Makes me want to stand up and speak out. I hope my fear of statues hasn’t clouded the reality of how strongly I support the idea that our greatest leaders would be rooting for the Democratic party. In fact, I’m still predicting a landslide. People in general, and the under-forty crowd in particular, are sick of all this. George W. Bush, his secrecy, his arrogance and elitism has posed the greatest threat to our national security we’ve ever faced. I don’t know if he’ll be held accountable in my lifetime, but history will tell the tale.

By Ms. Dee on 10/09/2008 3:07 pm

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I’ve finally found someone else with a fear of statues!! I’m so happy to find you. I’ve felt like a fool avoiding places with large human form monuments. By the way, during a memorable trip to D.C. as a teen, I refused to see the Lincoln monument. I did see the Jefferson from afar, and stood slightly fearful before the tribute to Iwo Jima which was beautifully lit at night. It would be lovely to think that Pres. Lincoln would be pleased. But it’s a fantasy if you base it on the philosophy of the times. My ancestors were a form of commerce, the majority of Americans considered us non-human-definitely not worthy of the highest office of the land. Unfortunately, there are still some vague visages of that same thought today, but I’m hopeful because our younger generations possess more unity and acceptance towards each other. It’s a beautiful thing to see.

By Lena B on 10/19/2008 7:29 pm

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Hey, Lena! I know what you mean about DC. One of the few times my father, who was something of a sculptor himself, lost all patience with me was on our family vacation to DC. I was young. Six or seven. And simply could not approach the Lincoln Monument. It was after dark, with the blue light on. I freaked out and Mother took me back to the car. The next day we went to the Jefferson monument, and I remember just reading the walls with my back to the statue. The otder I get, the more manageable it is, but thanks for letting me know I’m not alone! (BTW, love your posts, sister!)

By Ms. Dee on 10/19/2008 9:29 pm