behind the layers
In the United States, we have had no leaders without flaws, but many have had virtues that command respect. In February, two of those who deserve our respect, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, are recognized with holidays on their birthdays. Washington’s Birthday has come to be known as Presidents’ Day, a day on which to honor all Presidents, both past and present. Our national flower is the rose, and it’s fitting to think of it, the depth of its many layers, when considering the character of those men on Presidents’ Day. It’s ironic that this thought comes to me at a time when we have a man who brings nothing but disgrace to the office. This rose does not smell so sweet.
behind the layers
discerning integrity
character within
Frank Tassone’s #Haikai Challenge #21: Rose asks us to use the kigo “rose” as a symbol for Presidents’ Day.
Image: Rose (wikimedia.org) layered over Mount Rushmore (worldatlas.com)
Yes, ironic. Hopefully we can recover from all the damage he’s doing (on every level). And hopefully we’ll once again elect a true statesman into office (if they exist any longer). The bar has been lowered into the ground this last year.
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I must agree with you.
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I was eating breakfast with my 10-year old granddaughter and I asked her, “What day is tomorrow?”
She said, “It’s President’s Day!”
She’s a smart kid so I asked her, “What does President’s Day mean?”
I was waiting for something about Washington or Lincoln.
But she replied, “President’s Day is when the president steps out of the White House and if he sees his shadow, we have another year of bullshit!”
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I did not write this, I am chagrinnnnning to confess.
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That knocking at your door is my forensic team, there to dust your keyboard for fingerprints.
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The man is a born leaderl an has lifetimes of practice a leading country or kindoms..
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In his dreams.
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Apparently you don’t know true history, only what you read…
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Okay.
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Superb!
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Thanks!
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Pingback: behind the layers – Frank J. Tassone
This rose reeks. He IS a disgrace.
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Yes.
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We just got rid of our disgrace, at long last (South Africa). It took 9 years – the entire period of his presidency – which was riddled with corruption, controversy and on and on. Good luck!!
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The thought of 4 or 8 years is frightening, so fingers crossed.
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It is indeed a scary time to live when we who have the freedom of speech have to be so cautious about how we express ourselves. There will always be those who say no matter who is in office they need to be supported. But the layers of how they won the election are still questionable…
I like how you put the rose over the Monument. We can only hope that more eyes see that we leadership that is respected and supported by the majority…
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Thank you.
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Well said. (K)
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Thank you.
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Pingback: #Haikai Challenge #22 (2/24/18): Barely Spring (haru asashi) #haiku #senryu #haiku #tanka #haiga #renga – Frank J. Tassone
Hanking my head, and counting the days…love this. So very well stated. Nice work.
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Thanks, Pat.
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