Indeed, a Rising Sun

A little piece of history

The War for Independence

Had been hard fought and won;

The Founders knew it was just a start,

They had only just begun

 

In 1787

There was a growing frustration

The new country was still governed

By Articles of Confederation

 

The men who gathered saw their task,

They knew they must be wise;

Create a brand new government,

And not simply revise

 

They gathered at the State House,

Now Independence Hall

George Washington would preside,

As was agreed by all

 

He sat upon a humble chair

And not a kingly throne

The sun’s image was carved there ~

Its status was unknown

 

After months of planning,

Of argument and debate,

The U.S. had a government

No monarch would dictate

 

Old Benjamin Franklin observed

When the proceedings were finally done

“I have the joy of knowing

It is indeed a rising sun.”

Author's Note

This is not meant to be a political statement. Just a little piece of history that I have always enjoyed. George Washington's chair still sits in Independence Hall, a reminder of the struggle to get it right, then and now.

Reviews

[unsavable_soul]

Very nice Rita,
I love the writing and it's elegant use of history. Much fact creating a very nicely authentic historical based work of art. You really got creative with this one. Some of the rhyme scheme could be considered standard, but hey i live on that kind of thing and you take it to a whole other level with making a simple rhyme scheme be about something direct and then still keeping it true and poetic. That took great amounts of talent and I would assume thought. Most excellent. I have one issue and at that it is little. Your piece in it's title and end to me convey the idea of Japan. Land of The Rising Sun. It just kind of detoured from the meaning and creative value in the theme. If this is true I think you could easily clean it up a bit should you decide to. This is just a thought or opinion in hopes of aiding. I like this one Rita, I do.

"They gathered at the State House,
Now Independence Hall
George Washington would preside,
As was agreed by all"

I love the fact that this line conveys quickly the real idea George Washington didn't want to be president but it was the demands of his fellow countrymen that brought him to lead. So well executed this piece is. Thanks for the read request and hope any of this is useful.
Sincerely
Christopher
95/100

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Christopher. I debated the title for that very reason, but it seemed to fit this piece well. I'll think on it some more. Glad you enjoyed the history!

[unsavable_soul]

Greatly enjoyed,
Yeah it was just a thought or observation at best. I see how it ties in and I think it's fine, I am too opinionated.
Chris

[Sami Khalil]

I love history and historic events and this poem is unique as the history it is purveying...Well penned ...:)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you - I prefer these odd little pieces of the past to stuffy textbook history.

[Sami Khalil]

When we put serious things into poetic forms it makes it more interesting and lively , I think . I could be wrong...:)

[Samuel Dickens]

I might have sat in a history class and had this story told to me one time, but have forgotten. History is important stuff and it behooves us all to know it. Thank you for this. (Isn't that chair fabulous?)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Sam! Yes, it really is a cool chair - I envy the Rangers in the park (my husband is one) who can get close enough to touch it. :)

[Zahra]

This is very very well-written, really enjoyed reading this.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks!

[Jack...]

I listened to a discussion the other day about Washington. He was told by his officers that he should the king of this new land and they would stand behind him , he refused ultimate power saying this is what he fought against all of these years and would not become their king. He wanted freedom for all. He was a great man. Very nice poem, I like how it flowed...it felt very independent.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Jack. The Founders were great men; flawed, but firm believers in the Independence they had fought for. The task to form a new government was daunting; I am always amazed by that. The story about the Sunrise Chair puts into perspective the fact that even they, those men, were not sure if they would be successful.

[Jack...]

A new book, Seven Men by Eric Matazak is very good reading. (Not sure of the spelling of the last name)

[Rita L. Sev]

I'll check it out. Thanks!

[Dhaye]

Nice to know that history through this wonderful piece. You're not only a poet now, you're also a historian. :)
Thanks for sharing this. :)

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! I am not the historian; I checked my facts with an Independence Park ranger (my husband). :) Thank you!

[Dhaye]

Haha. Just giving you the title since you have made this one. Lol :)

[Rita L. Sev]

:)

[Marie]

It is a nice iece of history. I didn't know that about the chair.

[Rita L. Sev]

I love the stories that give history some humanity. Living in Philadelphia has its perks! Thanks, Marie!

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Those brave men fought so hard for our freedom, it is shame that greed and pride has taken some of it away.

[Rita L. Sev]

So true. That rising sun represented so much hope... Thank you!

[Souladareatease]

Almost seems harder today...more asleep at the wheel and breeding faster, controlled by big profit on house floor...laws changed in the middle of the night....we turn to a country of sheeple...sad........a most wonderful write heavily on a glorious time.
pen excellence Rita!!!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Soul. Yes, I like to be reminded of the hard work it took to get us Liberty; it's easier to feel patriotic about these men than today's "leaders"

[Souladareatease]

Exactly---my favorite studies of history...and favorite men of them...(I love You used the chair as a pic:)))

[Will]

Ok, confession: I'm a huge history nerd. So automatically, I love this piece. Your combination of historical recording, solid rhyme scheme, and simple format make this piece stand out in my mind. I just have a question; is that an actual Ben Franklin quote at the end?

[Rita L. Sev]

Slightly paraphrased, but yes, Franklin did comment that all through the proceedings he wondered whether the sun was a rising or a setting, and his conclusion that it "is indeed a rising sun" is documented. (My husband is a part time Ranger at Independence Park; I better get the history right!). Thank you, Will!

[Will]

OK, thanks! My friends always tell me I use historical quotes too much, so it"s nice to add another to the arsenal!