1999 Mount Rushmore International Writing Contest Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln: Presidents with Visions for America If they could speak today, what might they say?

Eighth Grade Winner: Poetry
Margaret Catherine Schultz
St. Cletus School
Mrs. Murphy's 8th Grade Language Arts Class
La Grange, Illinois

What Would They Say If They Were Here Today?

Lincoln was in his rock, just sitting there one day,
thinking of one last visit he knew he'd like to pay.
So he traveled around his country, to see what he could see,
observing all the people in the land of the free.

When Abe looked around, he was amazed at what he saw,
his beloved country had come so far.

People of all races working together,
trying to find a peace that would last forever.
Children of all races playing hand in hand,
running, jumping, frolicking in the golden sand.

The people had learned that everyone's equal,
and everyone deserves a chance,
that there's always more to someone
then what you see at first glance.

But Abe knew that they will had a long way to go
before everything would be just right,
and he knew that to racism
they'd put up a good, strong fight.

Old Abe went back to his home
with a smile on his face,
knowing he had started this harmony
of the whole human race.

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