Testaments: Richard M. Nixon

This week, John Peeler will present “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.

Richard M. Nixon

My “secret plan” to end the war
—and Gene McCarthy—
got me the job.
The war was not as planned,
the peace was but mirage.
China was my master stroke
(that bastard Henry took the prize).
I smeared McGovern: pinko wimp,
(nothing I hadn’t done before).
And then that stupid Watergate!
I had to say I was no crook,
but took the hit to save the plan.