ABE LINCOLN

Scholars and average folk agree,
The greatest of them all was he.
For all of us are realizing
Abe kept us from balkanizing,
A feat of enormity.

Abe rose up from adversity
Through study, character, and ability.
He proved the American Dream
That here our good chances teem.
A most inspiring man was he.

FDR, though great he was,
Is not loved as well because
Him you couldn't always trust.
But Abe was always honest
Whatever the occasion was.

To all, I think it's clear
Abe was a race relations pioneer.
He was "The Great Emancipator."
Though it lost some luster later,
For this he was long held dear.

Lincoln things are all around,
His pennies, cars, logs renowned.
Cities, companies, and schools --
You could say they all are tools
To remind us of this man profound.

A man of mystery and paradox.
Abe was soft as fog and hard as rocks.
How did this man collect
So much courage and intellect?
Greatness needed sometimes knocks.

And everyone has heard
How skilled Abe was with words,
A master who built poetry
Into profound oratory
That has wonder in us stirred.