Camelot

Right out of a plane in Cleveland,
he found a crowd in the thousands
waiting to glimpse him. Three hours deep,
those high school kids and young couples, beside

themselves with happiness, had waited.
There was no microphone at all. The crowd
pinned him against the plane, pulled at his clothes,
and started to cheer. Still, Johnny began to smile

at the eager crowd. Quietly he touched
many hands. Johnny smiled and gave
encouragement. He touched many hands.
Those people had waited for hours to see their man.

Only those near him could hear, but Johnny
started to speak. That voice they knew gave
him speech, gave them hope–
I will need your help. But if you work hard,
we will win.

Johnny didn’t have to have any bylines
to get in the news. His words were our headlines.