In 2016, expecting Hillary Clinton to beat Donald Trump, I wrote a poem in the style of Dr. Seuss. I’ve been waiting four years to share that poem. Here it is.
Donald’s Big Fall
There once was a boy
named Donald J. Trump
A big boy, a rich boy —
with hands like a stump.
For whatever reason
he felt really bad
that he wasn’t the biggest
of all of the lads.
He fumed and he pouted —
“It’s never enough!”
He could never be happy
with all of his stuff.
So he made it his mission
to grow and expand
to put some big fingers
on those short little hands.
At first he did well;
he made a success —
with a big loan from Daddy
his fortunes were blessed.
He started a business
and soon he was known
as a real-estate magnate
ascending his throne.
“I’m incredibly Big,
I’m tremendously YUGE!
I’ll grab all the [meow!]
I ever can use!”
“I’ve got super powers
just like a cartoon!
I’ll build a big tower
way up to the Moon!”
But for big little Donald
it wasn’t enough
to build super-size towers
and grab lots of stuff.
“I want to be bigger,
more powerful too!
There’s nothing I shouldn’t
be able to do!”
I’ll boss around millions;
I’ll reign like a king —
That’s better than money
or [meow!] or bling!
“I’ll be President Trump
of the United States —
the Trumpiest man
in the whole human race!”
But how could he be
a political star?
“Since I’m unfit for office,
I’ll lower the bar!”
So Donald the Trump
was as bad as could be;
he trumpeted terrible things
on TV.
He said he would build
a really big wall!
But hackers from Russia?
No problem at all!
He insulted the Muslims,
the Mexicans too.
He trashed all his critics
and threatened to sue.
But as Donald grew big
in his own little eyes,
he was shrinking
and drowning in more and more lies.
Little lies,
sneaky lies.
Big lies,
freaky lies.
Lies to make your hair
stand up on end,
or to throw up your hands and say
“when will it end?!”
He even claimed
the election was rigged.
No wonder he lost —
he behaved like a pig!
While Donald the Trump
was playing his game —
craving attention,
expanding his fame —
A migrant was picking
the food we all need.
A soldier was serving
the fight overseas.
An accountant was figuring
the taxes we pay —
while Donald the Trump
was shouting “No way!”
A regular man
was loving his wife.
People were living
their little big life.
So what is the lesson
of Donald’s big fall?
That your life can be big
while you’re still pretty small;
That doing your best
matters much more than fame,
than money or power
or winning the game;
That everyday people
with love in their heart
are bigger and greater —
that life is an art;
That being the loudest
the brashest, the BEST!
can sometimes mean
you’ve failed life’s biggest test.
So let’s tip our caps,
let’s give a big cheer
for little things everywhere —
things we hold dear
And people who teach us
to value those things
more highly than riches,
or ego, or bling.
Let’s try to be happy
without being YUGE!
Addicted to Big
means you’ll probably lose.
That is the lesson
of Donald the Trump —
and that’s why he fell back to earth
with a thump!
But what if you followed him?
What if you’re mad?
You wanted a president
who’s BIG and who’s BAD!
A leader who throws his opponents
in JAIL!
A commander-in-chief who’s a
Real ALPHA MALE!
Maybe it’s time to
search in your heart.
After Donald’s big loss,
let’s make a new start
Examine our motives,
our values, our faith —
What led our great country
to this terrible place?
Yes, there’s much to be learned
from Donald’s big fall,
how Donald the Trump
became Donald the small
How so many good people
were led so astray;
how a big little boy
lost his mind and his way.
We know we can do better
than Donald J. Trump.
That’s why most of the voters
kicked his big rump.
Let’s support our new president —
Wow, she’s a girl!
And heal our great nation,
the best in the world!
Four years ago, it wasn’t meant to be. But now, in 2020, here’s a new concluding stanza that we can celebrate:
