As teenage boys during World War II
we stood on the edge of the dance floor,
hands in pockets, feigning nonchalance,
debating the merits of girls jitterbugging
with each other ― squabbling about why
we wouldn’t approach any one of them..

Height, weight, attitude were discussed.
No one mentioned we were afraid of
rejection, or none of us could dance.

Today, congress wrangles over
power to manage a war, supporting
troops, and consequences of deadlines.
No one admits fear of blame for failure,
or not having a clue about what to do.

Who could have known we were
learning to be politicians way back then.

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