1998 Mount Rushmore International Writing Contest Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln: Presidents with Visions for America If they could speak today, what might they say?

Third Prize: Adult Poetry
Tom Roberts
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Winner: $100 Savings Bond

I WONDER ...

High atop a mountain peak
Among the Black Hills pine
Four stone faces grace the sky
A monumental shrine

They represent our country
And South Dakota pride
They symbolize the spirit
Of people far and wide

Washington and Jefferson
Roosevelt and Lincoln
Four of our great Presidents
In words, deeds and thinkin'

I wonder what - they would say
If they were here today?
Would they say that government
Has gone a bit astray?

I wonder what - they would think
Of Politics and Polls?
Would they think that we were all
A country of lost souls?

I wonder what - they would do?
If they would all return
I wonder if we'd notice?
I wonder if we'd learn?

Would their deeds and thought and words
Carry as much thunder?
Could they make a difference now?
Would we care? . . . I wonder.

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