Remembering Mr. Rogers
A Poem of Remembrance
Remembering Mr. Rogers
Since Mr. Rogers closed his neighborhood door
Young hearts have been broken down to their core
He was an inspiration to children each day
In his own special inimitable way
He spoke through puppets in a soft muffled voice
Always expressing “Make your own choice!”
His shows were filled with magic and joy
As he instilled friendship with the use of some toys
His song “I like you the way you are”
Made every child shine like a star
“Won’t you be my neighbor?”
Kept children of all races in favor
“Daniel the tiger” was his favorite voice
So gentle never roaring with a loud force
On many shows he would say
“Everybody longs to be loved
and they want to be lovable.”
He said it clear in his Mr. Rogers’ way
How do you measure a person’s fame?
Is it saving someone from a fiery flame
Is it fighting a war with an enemy you blame
Or the catch of a ball in a baseball game
Are you not also famous because
You’ve set your direction on a life-giving cause
To give of yourself to open closed doors
And the constant challenge to give a bit more
Mr. Rogers used puppets to talk to the kids
Words that opened their cute little ears
Songs they could sing to rid them of fears
Stories to repeat for years to their peers
Who next will be chosen to pass life’s great test
Who next will stand out from the world’s best
Who has that way that talent that smile
To walk in Mr. Rogers’ shoes for a mile
That soul will be tested as if put on trial
As he or she rises with strength and with guile
To answer the questions this hero must face
While constantly moving at a fast-moving pace
History somehow corrects its mistakes
Replacing what it must eventually take
Who will be chosen to come through that door
To replace Mr. Rogers and what he stood for.
— WOLRAD(A poem of remembrance from the Wolrad Collection #67)
