Will Barber - Spinach and E. Coli: Musings

One who feared invasion from a foreign land
Ate a spinach salad, and that did him in.

And so it goes: each time we fear the past
The future supervenes, and we at last
Are left to pick up pieces of our myths
Without which we are lost; and now, with
Instant access everywhere, to news:
We might as well give over, sing the Blues.

Say, did you hear about George Washington?
Sweet Martha sang the Blues, when he was home.
Strangers came to dinner - yes! - and they
Drank heavily, until they toasted - 'Liberty! '

Then George would vanish. Later she would hear
He'd gone to Pennsylvania; she would fear
He might be dead, or dying. In the event,
He was guarded by Divine Providence.
His eyes aged, while defending 'Common Sense, '
And he became our first great President!

Some others, later, blundered: Asian wars
Led them to eat spinach. What are wars for?

Will Barber

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