by Bill Costley
“The Framers didn’t use rolling papers.
The Constitution was real paper!.”
Chauvinistic twaddle sinks quickly
into the sensationalistic minds
of a susceptible high-school class
eager to see real American History.
The history teacher’s on furlough,
so a Tea Party re-enactor plays
Benj. Franklin in period costume,
carrying a 6’ Revolutionary Rifle:.
“Revolutionaries held their rifles
in their right hands, out of respect
for the Constitution.” Young heads
nod in approval as twaddle sinks in:
"Guns, right! In their right hands,
not their left! History’s easier
when it speaks right to us! This
is real American History! History;
books are just paper. This is real!"
Bill Costley has served on the Steering Committee of the San Francisco Bay area chapter of the National Writers Union. He lives in Santa Clara, CA.
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