For today’s Poetry Friday, I’m featuring a poem from Janet Wong’s Declaration of Interdependence. This was a 2012 Cybils nominee for the poetry division. It was my first time reading the poetry of Janet Wong, and, oh, where have I been all this time? I love all her poems in this collection. Her words are simple yet lyrical, funny but thought-provoking.
Poetry Friday round-up is hosted by Julie Larios and is happening at The Drift Record.

Land of the Free (Kick)
I do believe
beyond the shadow of doubt
that I could vote for any
of twelve good men and women
to be president
if only they were willing
to have that job.
Brad and Angelina could job-share
and we’d be on top of the world.
Tebow: The Miracle President.
No one would mess with Oprah.
Or: how about my soccer coach?With my soccer coach as president,
there would be no excuses.
Slack off and you’d have to do
fifty push-ups.
She could get Congress
playing together as a team.God Bless America:
Land of the Free (Kick),
Home of the Brave!
What about you, dear friends?
What is your Poetry Friday offering today?
A-Z Book Challenge Update: 22 of 26
(D, A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z)
missing letters: F, P, Q, Y
What a fun poem! I’m going to see if Janet’s poetry is any of the collections I have. Thanks!
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Catherine: if you don’t find any poems in your collections, you can find a bunch of individual poems (tied to suggestions of props) at my PoetrySuitcase.com; please take a look!
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I’d vote for Janet, if she ever runs for President…! But only if she was given time in her busy schedule to write poetry. Thanks, Fats, for sharing this terrific poem – SOOO applicable this week! :0! [And I just came from Tabatha’s great post at The Opposite of Indifference honoring the Suffrage Centennial.]
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If I ever run for president, Robyn, “a poem in every home” will be my slogan!
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Great campaign slogan – you have my vote for sure!
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Such a wonderful collection. Happy to read this one again here. Thanks for sharing it, Fats!!
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I’ll vote for Janet – OR her soccer coach!
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And hollow-center life-sized chocolate soccer balls at every campaign stop!
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“Land of the Free (Kick)”, indeed! Thanks so much for featuring this wonderful poem and fabulous poet, Fats! =)
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let’s find this soccer coach and send her straight to Washington!
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It was a happy surprise to find this post listed in Julie’s Poetry Friday round-up–thanks for your fun comments, everyone, and I’m happy that you like the poem!
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I have this collection, Myra & lots of teachers used parts of it last fall during our election. It’s so great to have a new look at politics for younger children.
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