HAPPY WINSTON CHURCHILL DAY

It seems there was a time in history when our Congress did agree...

Let’s return to April 9th back in 1963.

First let’s step back further...to the years 1939 to ‘45

When Winston Churchill’s during World War II helped democracy survive.

Now back to April 9, 1963, for Congress decided on that day

To make Sir Winston an honorary citizen of the good old USA.

(Churchill joins Mother Theresa and 5 others whom our Congress have all deemed

Worthy enough to be so regarded and held in such esteem.)

He is admired for his courage, his leadership and his wit

And it is to his English drollery I now this poem commit.

When a woman complained about how drunk Winston was, he smiled and said smugly. 

My dear, tomorrow I shall be sober...but you will still be ugly.

Once at a formal dinner this same woman somewhat indignantly

Said, Winston if you were my husband I would add poison to your tea.

“Nancy,” Winston countered, “I need no time on which to think it

If I were your husband,” he said raising the cup to his lips, “I definitely would drink it.”

But Winston was not only known for his witty retorts...his personality could galvanize 

Throughout his lifetime he was famous for being perceptive, insightful and wise.

When asked one day about courage Winston--never known to be passive or weak,

“Courage,” he said with confidence, “is what it takes to stand up and speak.”

Then with his next breath this honorary citizen whom our Congress thought to christen

Reminded us it also takes courage, as he said, “To sit down and listen.”

When I look at our Congress today it seems they heed only half of what Winston said 

As they seldom sit down and listen...preferring to stand up and speak instead.

Which makes me wonder as we celebrate Churchill’s wit...perhaps even he would admit

If Congress only listens to half of what he said...does that make them all half-wits?