To Roger from Susan
With you, my love, I’d rather be
Than with the Queen, Her Majesty
Conversing on world policy
Eating crumpets and sipping tea.
With you, my love, I’d rather be
Than with the Pope in the Holy See
Or the Dalai Lama in New Delhi
They’d both dismiss me momentarily.
But with you, my love, would I rather be
Than with President Obama; would he tolerate me?
Maybe for half a day he would graciously
Let me tag along while he works for democracy.
No, with you, my love, I would rather be
Roaming the hills of Tennessee
Or on the sandy beach in Siesta Key
While you contemplate great things and I play in the sea.
-Susan Rochat
2-14-09