The Furlough Poem by Jay Loring

Well, I grew up thinking a furlough
was a missionary home from the field.
And making the rounds through their churches,
for support and for prayer they appealed

But lately there's talk of a furlough,
and it really has caused quite a fuss.
At first it was slightly annoying,
but now seems it's impacting us.

We'd planned a short trip to the Capital,
to visit the sites, we supposed.
But we must postpone our vacation.
It seems the Smithsonian's closed.

So, what is the deal with this "furlough"
and shutting the government down?
Why can't they get along?
What's the deal? What is wrong?
Why is everything hard in that town?

With hundreds of thousands of workers
being sent home with unplanned vacation,
seems like many them must be asking themselves,
do they now even want this vocation.

For being a government worker
is a choice that each one of them made.
And when you belly up to the government trough,
well, at the least you expect to get paid!

"There are bills to be paid, and housing is due,
and all of our money is spent! "
And quick comes the government's crafty reply,
"Perhaps you could barter for rent! "

There are always two sides to a story,
and though you may think he's a jerk,
we wish you'd give up this obstruction
and just grow up and get back to work!

For as long as this stalemate continues -
as long as both sides just dig in,
with no compromise, well it's plain to our eyes,
it's a battle that no one can win.

The Democrats huffing and puffing
‘bout Republicans wanting a wall.
But what do THEY want?
Please, can someone explain?
‘Cause I'm not really certain at all.

For ten years ago, give or take, more or less,
it seems like they said the same thing.
"We must take this whole border thing seriously! "
And it had a familiar ring.

Then Candidate Trump made a promise.
He would build us a beautiful fence!
But Democrats call it immoral now,
ineffective, a wasted expense.

And the Democrats talk of these dreamers,
and their words surely pull at your heart.
But neither side has any answers,
and they're pulling our country apart!

It seems with each day, the cry's growing,
it is now a formidable mob.
With screams of all kinds and
with multiple signs telling
Congress to just do their job!

Do you understand the frustration -
that people are anxious and stressed?
We all want our borders protected
and security issues addressed,

But when both sides refuse to consider
and appreciate each other's view,
then when all's said and done,
more is said than is done.
I ask you, now, isn't that true?

We don't need more talking and talking!
You talk till your faces are blue.
And, well, I say with Eliza Doolittle,
"Is that all you blighters can do? "

It's time for this gridlock, this nonsense,
this scheming, this taking of sides,
now to come to and end. I remind you,
my friend, with the people true power resides.

Well, maybe that's part of the problem.
Let's awaken this great sleeping giant.
So that people will stand for
what's right in this land,
and not be on Congress reliant.

But perhaps this is only a symptom
of a much larger problem we face.
Our country is deeply divided,
over politics, religion and race.

And the chasm, I fear, grows larger each year.
And the future holds more of the same.
But the secret is right there in front of us,
take a look, it's right there in our name.

It says there that we are UNITED,
though to look at us now you might doubt.
But if we could endeavor to find common ground,
we maybe could work this thing out.

So, get back to work, so that people can pay
for their food, and their rent and their school.
And then go do your worst, but put other's needs first
and so live by that old Golden Rule.