Ballad of the Presidents: Truman and Eisenhower

Truman had doubts he was fit for the office
One might have thought he would therefore be cautious
Time, though, permitted no settling in
With fate in the balance, a war yet to win

None ever wielded such breathtaking power
As Truman now did at this world-shaping hour
To him was delivered the might of the atom
With him lay decision of cities to flatten

Sometimes he wondered what power was good for
He fought a new conflict where none was prepared for
Korea’s cold mountains were bleak and relentless
The back and forth fighting appeared to be endless

Into the breach entered Dwight Eisenhower
A most fitting prez for a most trying hour
A student of war who had plainly been taught
Where armed force was useful and where it was not

Ike sent his troops to a place unexpected
Little Rock, Ark., to keep students protected
When angry white mobs vowed to halt integration
Defending Jim Crow, disgracing the nation

His clock ticking down, he now channeled the past
To Washington’s time-honored farewell address
He warned of the need to put safeguards and checks
On the makers of arms and their power complex