Will they remember that she was articulate and hopeful?
Inclusive and charming
Graceful and personal
That she moved relative strangers to tears with the rise and fall of her words
That she swiped the ivy from her league to reveal a new vision of
A first lady
A New Integrity
A cheer leading wife, mother, daughter, sister
Someone who stepped into her role as a model for black women on TV with all her clothes in tact, hair in place, and children not locked out of wed
That she, in 20 short minutes, unfastened her mind and invited you into her heart
Or will they ask where was her flag?
See a contradiction in her expression of love for her country without having a shiny little tricolored pin on her lapel
No blue wool dress, red silk scarf, sensible patent pumps, or pearled heirlooms
Roll their eyes at her for laying down the coat to step over the mud; instead of scooping up a handful, letting it fall from her fingers, and flinging it on a pure, white wall of expectations
Doubt the sincerity of a tribute to those in pain, those who laid a foundation, those who will pave the future
Dwell on the lulls, stifling the highs
Chastise her for holding the dry, braided rope that kept the blade from offing the heads of the others
Snarle for not having a guffaw to highlight, lampoon, or loop
Or will they get it?
Will get that there is more than one way to do this
That successful deliverance of a message does not require a club, a smear, or snicker
Smile a lopsided grin at change
Inhale deeply the fresh air of something new
Embrace a broken mold and make a better mouse trap
Or will they still ask where was her flag?
As if the colors draped on your shoulders somehow shape the content of your character
But for one moment, I’ll embrace the fact that they were able to focus on the red, white, and blue
And not the brown
The coverage we watched had the announcers COUNTING how many times she said the word America/American in her speech and then stating it and when they did the first thought in my mind was “who cares?” But apparently someone did enough to count it and and then report on it.
I think she did beautifully (and looked stunning doing it).
You rock.
Didn’t see the speech but agree that we all should focus on what’s really important! Not clothes, flags, facial expressions or how many times she said America/American. =D
Beautiful… just beautiful. That post was well put together.
At first I thought you were making reference to an Eddie Izzard routine. I love him.
This is a great post. It really is. You should submit it as an opinion piece/editorial for your city paper. Really. It’s that good.
Flag pin question never occurred to me, actually. But I’m sure it did to someone. *sigh* It does make me wonder, if the stupid parts that make attack-politics so irritating didn’t exist, if the constant questioning of each person’s little mistakes didn’t exist, if the media didn’t expect those in politics to rise to some superhuman level… what kind of politicians might we have?
They should really focus on the fact that Bush wore a flag pin every day while he shit on america.
I’d rather not have another set of hypocrites in office thankyouverymuch!
I happen to think she’ll make a fabulous, graceful, articulate first lady.
Michelle did a wonderful job! I like her. She seems like a woman who cares, but then I’ve been wrong before. I hope I’m not wrong this time.
What a lovely poem. I agree, it should be submitted to your local paper for publication. It says it all about what we need to focus on in this country. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful.
The coverage during which they focused on the most minute, inane details was exhausting. I have the utmost respect for her and I think she is a wonderful representatvie of the women, all the women, of this world.
SAY THAT!!!
Si se puede!
Moving, beautiful post. Can I stress “beautiful” enough? You are very gifted, my friend.
You are just so damn AWESOME!!!!
I though Michelle did a great job… she is so well put together and seems at ease in front of everyone… She’s just beautiful and will make an awesome 1st Lady as well as a great role model for women of ALL colors.
Michelle did an awesome job! So far I have not heard any comment on why she did not wear a flag pin. She looked stunning. You are awesome–you write so well. Thank you for the post!
I think Michelle deserves to read this gem! She’d be impressed.
How freaking cute are their little girls?! I wanted to steal them.
Excellent post!!! I’m sure Michelle Obama would be honored to read something like this about her. Beautifully written!
*round of applause*