RIFFING ON OBAMA

President Obama’s speech (how satisfying to write that on paper—President Obama) was beautifully crafted. It was packed with elegant lines:

“We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
“Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.”

Contrary to the pundit’s post-election chatter, I think that any one of them might prove to be memorable.

Alas, he had so much to say, he did not linger long enough on any one image or idea to cast a key phrase in sharp relief.

But, we can do that for him. We can jam, we can riff on Obama. I propose we all embellish a paragraph, to greater appreciate the idea within. One easy opportunity is the ending.

“America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words; with hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come.”

Here’s an easy insertion:

“And, in this bitter season, I call on you to join me. In your punts and on your rafts. In your skiffs and boats and kayaks. In tugs or twigs twined together. Yes, we will get muddy; we will get wet. Be not afraid. We will float and in the coldest of times even the lowliest of us shall do the impossible, will walk on water. So, my fellow travelers, pick up your oars.”

Yes, in the words of Elizabeth Alexander, “Take out your pencils.” Extemporize! A bit of sermonizing and a bit of fun, it’s a reminder that it’s hard to compose a quote, not simply a sentence.