Ever heard this poem ?? Well you would have if you were studying in a certain english language course in Pakistan. Notice carefully that if you read the first letter of every line it reads as “President George W Bush”. Freakish yes, hilarious yes, but it is !!!
Here is the poetry.
THE LEADER
by anonymous
Patient and steady with all he must bear,
Ready to meet every challenge with care,
Easy in manner, yet solid as steel,
Strong in his faith, refreshingly real.
Isn’t afraid to propose what is bold,
Doesn’t conform to the usual mould,
Eyes that have foresight, for hindsight won’t do,
Never backs down when he sees what is true,
Tells it all straight, and means it all too.
Going forward and knowing he’s right,
Even when doubted for why he would fight,
Over and over he makes his case clear,
Reaching to touch the ones who won’t hear.
Growing in strength he won’t be unnerved,
Ever assuring he’ll stand by his word.
Wanting the world to join his firm stand,
Bracing for war, but praying for peace,
Using his power so evil will cease,
So much a leader and worthy of trust,
Here stands a man who will do what he must.
The BBC reports
Critics say it praises Mr Bush. Its rhyming couplets describe someone “solid as steel, strong in his faith”.Officials cannot explain how the poem entered the curriculum. Pupils are to ignore it ahead of a reprint next year.
At least in India, we “praise” our own readers in convoluted textbooks, which every regime changes according to their whims and fancies…
