Poems of the Week

Senator Manchin Instructs Us

by Philip Kitcher

“Good friends enjoy a tussle—
there’s no need to get cross.
I like to flex my muscle,
and show my pals who’s boss.

Let’s keep our country healthy—
it is a worthy goal—
but recognize we’re wealthy
because of oil and coal.

Forget the gloomy prophets—
they always disagree—
(and let those handsome profits
keep flowing in to me).”