Testaments: George W. Bush

This week, John Peeler presents “Testaments,” a series of poems that take the form of valedictory statements by each of the postwar presidents, in the poetic manner of Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology.

George W. Bush

They misunderestimated me.
I’m the decider, and I decide what’s best.
I’m going to try to see if I can remember as much to make it sound like I’m smart on the subject.
And my concern, David, is several.
You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror.
I think we are welcomed, but it was not a peaceful welcome.
The illiteracy level of our children are appalling.
You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.
We shouldn’t fear a world that is more interacted.
Those who enter the country illegally violate the law.
We need an energy bill that encourages consumption.
One has a stronger hand when there’s more people playing your same cards.
You never know what your history is going to be like until long after you’re gone.
I’m the master of low expectations.