FDR

FDR
M.V. Montgomery

I dreamed of a young FDR
in a PBS documentary on the 1930s.
It showed fast-living patricians
of his Harvard College set,
including one fraternity brother
who had gotten a local girl in trouble,
then paid off a second and a third.  
He was shown striding
into the Commons,
holding a football under one arm.

But FDR was different,
driving around the US in a big car,
offering encouragement to the workers
and families suffering from the Depression.  
It was the era of full-service stations:
FDR never had to leave his seat
or reveal his slender legs.
He just chatted with people
through the window,
listening to all of their troubles.

©2012 This work is the property of the author.