Still A Hole In The County Tonight

Born the seventh of nine children
family indeed was upper crust
some questioned father's actions during prohibition
yet said to the children public service is a must

Always competing while growing up
with friends and siblings alike
so many stunts to keep up with his brothers
some of them not too bright

Like at five jumping in the Atlantic
family wasn't even sure he could swim
big brother has to save him
luckily had the sense to not try again

Started working for Joe McCarthy
history suggests that was a horrible sight
looking for Communists where there were none
wisely left before McCarthy noose was too tight

Guided his brother to the White House
making several enemies along the way
a task master as a manager
do his brother wrong and there was hell to pay

Was a voice of reason during the Cuban Missile Crisis
when others wanted to go in and invade
knew there would be no history books to write
if a nuclear exchange was made

The death of his brother wracked his world
and so altered his path
softened his empathy for those suffering
victims of Jim Crow and it's wrath

Represented the state of New York
even took on Apartheid's rule
the demon would be Vietnam
President Johnson he concluded was a fool

But that decision did not come easy
for he was also dealing with his brother's role
so say he came to late to speak out
prefer he go into a hole

Befriended Cesar Chavez speaking out
for farm worker's needs and rights
opened many eyes to atrocities
deemed the cause a worthy fight

On the night Doctor King was gunned down
riots took place all over the land
but in Indiana where he ask for reason
destruction was not his audience's plan

So yes my hero wasn't perfect
allowed wired taps via Hoover's squad
yet still was developing as a human
and for that I have to applaud

Awful tragedy brought steely wisdom
Bobby would speak up for Appalachian poor
for those society had given up on
tried to widen opportunities' door

So as people start to talk about legacies
what Obama's might turn out to be
excuse me if I am still sad of eye
for the president that we never did see