Damn - Could-A-Been President.

Damn - Could-a Been President Susan Green 
               By Susan Kohn Green

Damn it!
My husband did not want me to run for President. 
I don’t see why not, but
He said he needed me here at home
Which may- or not - be true
After all, he can scamble an egg,
Boil – then grill- hot dogs,
Make oatmeal -
Put dirty dishes in the dish washer-
And take them out,
Make the bed.
And he works hard,
Writing hours a day.  
It doesn’t seem fair –
We had only been married four months.
O.K. - after ten years living together -


And, on top of that,
He says that I would make
An Excellent President :


No experience – Uh-oh -
I do not know a single dictator
Nor peace monger, for that matter.
Only one Congressman -
And that was social.
Years ago.
So, why not?

My husband knows that I have been alive long enough
To understand the world of survivorship
He knows that I have been alive long enough
To have seen that Power makes the world go ‘round 
And Money, beyond the necessities,

Can be an ugly an agent of it –
Or an agent of altruism.
Power - a symbol that makes some think they are 
Important;
Even if they know, in their heart of hearts, They’re not -
But somehow need it -
Desperately – willing to hurt.
Power.

He knows that I’ve been alive long enough 
To love the beauty in the world
And what it signifies - our children! 
Nothin’ to fool around with -
And fear the ugliness of what we have done - can do - to it. 
Our children. Our world. 

Oh, and the cruelty of what the “Other”
Can do
To the “Other”
Yes, I get it , when someone becomes the “Other” - 
Always a threat to Someone...angry
I understand that to believe what we believe 
Some need others to adhere -
And act.
Boom!

He knows that I am cheerful, most of the time 
And that I appreciate EVERYONE.
After all, we live in a very diverse neighborhood and
I know EVERYONE!
We chat, walk the dogs, smile; 
 
We really get along.

Plus, I make a great tomatillo sauce. 
And Turkish leeks with lemon
Bok Choy with chicken
My borscht is sublime
I can entertain Heads of State from anywhere.

And he knows that I believe
That Grandmothers should rule the world.

Now, my daughter is a psychologist:
She could be an advisor exemplar
I can see it now, her input invaluable;
Her understanding of the nature of people.
Perhaps she can even help dictators with their problems, 
The equivalent of couples sessions...
Then graduating to group.
Or the other way around.
Of course her notes would have to be Top secret
And Classified.

Oh, I have a stepson who is amazing with computers 
His research skills remarkable.
Imagine how helpful that would be
When questions arise re: - “the cloud”-

And a son-in-law who is a great arbitrator 
One meeting after another – every day - 
Involved in that Business World,
He knows how Their minds work,
How to put people at ease. AND get things done.

My brother and sister- in -law
Were Civil Rights Lawyers
What advisors they would make!
Fighting for the earth, for immigrants, 
Understanding how to stand and face big business 
With the reality of rationalism.
My sister-in-law has been in radio
She can handle that part of the campaign,
And,
My brother, not to brag,
Was the youngest person ever
To win a case
At the Supreme Court of the United States.
And, believe me, I know from our childhood
That he knows how to argue
With passion and logic
And just enough cynicism
For reality’s sake.
Plus he rides horses for the National Park Service.
What could be better?

My husband ,
Who did not want me to run for President, 
Is a mathematician
And understands what I do not -
Oh, Yes, I can add and subtract.-
All that stuff,
But the intricacies of economics
Are his department.
And he’s good at it.

I have a grandson –also a whizz – 
Oh boy, is he! Smart? - Wow!

Plus - Over flowing with enthusiasms, fascinations - 
And who never understands who is rich or poor 
Just that they are friends

A granddaughter ;
A pistol, determined. Age 7, Latina.
Looking at the varieties of iris on the front lawn.. 
“They are all so beautiful. “ My daughter said.
“Just like people,” she said.

Oh, Wait! - would that be right?
All my family contributing to my Presidency? 
Didn’t I read somewhere it was not a good idea? 
Shucks.

Now,
I have not known hardship; not real hardship, 
Not losing my family,
My home,
And traipsing across miles of the unknown 
Exhausted and fearful,
Clutching my baby to my chest-
While people seem to hate me –
Fear me...not want us.
I have never lost a dear one to a bullet,
Never starved – 
Never had to find a way to feed my child.
Never been on crack.

But I survived– can I say it?  
Bee stings,
When someone put a bee’s nest 
Down the chimney
Because we were Jewish ,
A “challenging” first marriage

Cancer; My own, My husband’s. 

Spine surgery,
My daughter’s illnesses,
Watching her chronic pain 
My mother’s Altheimers,
Eleven years of it! 
My own creative spirit. 
Single motherhood.
I have negotiated.
I have published.
I have tutored.
I have worked.
And done the dishes. 
Ordinary stuff.

And I like to put my feet up on the coffee table, 
While I’m reading and taking notes.
 The Oval Office does have a desk, no?

But no, my husband did not want me to run.
Somehow it just doesn’t seen fair.
I think he just didn’t want to move.