CAMPAIGN POEMS
Most campaign websites are pretty dry stuff, but how many elected officials make original, occasion-tailored poetry a regular feature of their rhetoric? The answer is "not many," and below, Steve demonstrates why that's probably a good idea. The following poems were written and delivered by Steve at the speaking events indicated.
[At Summer 2009 Shelby Dem Picnic]
We started out strong, tried to right wrongs
Toughening ethical rules
Ambulance overhaul, senior tax freeze on call
Helped LeMoyne-Owen, the Med, & other jewels
Passed Living Wage, and Prevailing Wage
Made county debt start to fall
Kept taxes low, did the Gridiron Show,
And the Pyramid…well, can’t win ‘em all
What issues
upcoming? School funding talks humming?
The charter? I don’t know, but please take note
While I know it’s kinda early, there’s no need to get surly
I’d like to ask y’all for your vote!
***************************************
[At December 2009 Fundraiser]
We started out strong, tried to right wrongs
Toughening ethical rules
Ambulance overhaul, senior tax freeze on call
Cleaned strip clubs and SOB fools
Passed Living Wage, and Prevailing Wage
Made county debt start to fall
Kept taxes low, did the Gridiron Show,
And the Pyramid…well, can’t win ‘em all
What challenges next? A new charter text?
The Med? There’s no way to know
But I’d still like to serve, and while I know I’ve got nerve
I’ve just gotta ask for more dough!
*****************************************************************
[At March 2010 Campaign Kickoff]
Though I’ve enjoyed my time on Commission
I’ve not yet completed my mission
I’m not quite through, got more to do
And one term ain’t quite sufficient
So, while you finish your beers, please take note
“4 more years!” is my rallying quote
We gotta keep District 5, and that ain’t no jive
So please, please give me your vote!
[Addendum at the Meg Turner fundraiser:
Campaign costs can be a frustration
That’s why our host gets my appreciation
God bless the Meg Turners, she brings out the earners
I hope you can spare a donation!]
*********************************************************
[At the South Memphis Candidate Forum]
Please give me your careful reflection
Let’s steer Shelby in the right direction
Please pardon the rhyme, and thanks for your time
I respectfully seek reelection!
We’ve been at this a while, that’ sure right
But we tried hard to shed some light
I hope your time wasn’t wastin’
Thanks so much for your patience
Safe home, and have a good night!
**********************************************************
[Unused poem for fundraiser]
I’ve fought the good fight, tried to do right
With problems ‘round here so extensive
Don’t wanna be a pain, but 6 mos. of campaign
Can end up awfully expensive
So God bless the Meg Turners, they bring out the earners
And I hope you don’t think I’m too rash
Won’t try to be sneaky, don’t mean to be cheeky
But I’ve just gotta ask for some cash!
******************************************************************
[For the Harold Byrd fundraiser]
While I hope my accomplishments stand out
I hate to stand here with my hand out
In Harold’s family’s words
Fundraising’s for the Byrds
But I need cash to get my name and brand out
So thanks for the help. This up-and-comer
Hopes I’ll make you proud, not be a bummer
Don’t mean to cause fright
But if I win tomorrow night
You might hear from me again this summer…
**************************************************************
[For primary election night]
For your most valuable gift---your time
I offer this Valentine
Couldn’t do it without ya
This whole thing’s about ya
(Please pardon the terrible rhymes)
So thanks for the help. This up-and-comer
Hopes to make you all proud, not be a bummer
Don’t mean to cause a fright
But if things go well tonight
I’ll be callin’ you guys up all summer…
***********************************************************
[Impromptu limerick to respond to the poem read by Agricultural Extension supporter at County Commission meeting June 2010]
I’ve given you my full attention
As you pled for your program’s retention
Please have no fear
I think the votes are here
We’ll fund your Agricultural Extension!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[Read in committee June 2010 for $25 donation to Operation Feed The Need from Commission staffer Lynn Ford]
Her laughter is very infectious
As she keeps track of and sometimes corrects us
The patient Ms. Ford
Tries not to look bored
Then cleans up the transcript to protect us
******************************************************************
[At June 16 IBEW Fundraiser]
For the next 4 years I’m optimistic
Though I may make some Republicans ballistic
On this I am firm:
I’d
like another term
(I guess I must be masochistic)
Labor rights I will sure protect
If sufficient funds I can collect
Let’s have some sangria
It’s always great to see ya
(Especially if I see ya with a check)
***************************************************
[Read at Commission June 2010 by request, after formal reading of Resolution honoring Trustee’s Office for its Nat’l Assoc of Counties Award for “mobile cashiering” innovation]
The public’s interest? You always serve it
Our trust in you—you’ve preserved it
With mobile cashiering, we see
Y’all put the Trust in “Trustee”
Congrats on the award—you deserve it!
[Donati fundraiser 7/10]
I owe my success to you dears
You’re all the Roebuck to my Sears.
Thanks to gents like Donati
Just as sweet as biscotti,
I got a shot at another four years.
[Frager Fundraiser July 19]
Thanks to the law firm of Barry
The Dist 5 vote I may carry
With this immigration law star
You’ll always go far
(Of course, your mileage may vary)
And the lesson I hope this all teaches?
Join up! Let’s go storm the beaches!
We’ll fight the good fight
And come election night
You don’t gotta hear no more speeches!
[Election night 8/5/10]
I’m as high as the White Cliffs of Dover
And feel lucky as a 4-leaf clover
The race could go either way
But at last I can say
Finally, the campaign is over!
Thanks to your help, I’m light as a feather
We have a bond that will ne’er be untethered
You’ve been such good friends
I could do it all again
(But I’d ask for much cooler weather)
I won’t predict it, I don’t like to jinx
But I ‘preciate yas more than yas thinks
So, win or lose
Let’s have music & booze
Now somebody get us some drinks!
[Final Comm’n meeting of first term—8/23/10—farewell to parting Commissioners]
Peliciotti has too shortly had fame
He’s served well, but briefly; it’s a shame
His worth we just got to know
Too bad he’s gotta go
‘Cause we can finally pronounce his name!
What to say about Deidre Malone?
Legislative star, with skills finely honed
You’ll be sorely missed, Deidre
Try & come back—we need ya!
I can’t handle these jokers alone!
Chair Avery’s one I’ll really miss
So sweet—unless you try her to dis
She’s been one grande dame
Combining grit, grace, and glam
Let me give you a goodbye kiss!
(Moore)
Edith’s a fighter down to her core
That’s how she got through the Appointment door
She overcame the odds
And from us she got the nods
Now we know Edith, we wish we had…Moore…
Gibson’s no-nonsense style is much terser
Than us talkers who just make things worser
Though to us he’s been a boon
To him, this ain’t a day too soon
We’ll miss him (likely more than vice versa!)
(Flinn)
It’s hard to believe all George has done
Doctor, mogul, serial candidate all in one
With antics beyond belief
He provided comic relief
Thanks for making this job so much fun!
(Ford)
16 years of public life he did invest
With his last one likely his best
With Task Forces by the score
He always made us work more
Now he’s gone, maybe I’ll get some rest!
Libertyland Historical Marker Dedication 11/1/10
LET’S HEAR IT FOR OUR OWN ZIPPIN PIPPIN
WHICH MADE OUR HANDS, AND OUR HEARTBEATS, GRIPPIN’, SKIPPIN’
I’M
GLAD I MET YA
WE WON’T SOON FORGET YA
‘CAUSE IN
GREEN BAY WE’LL BE DIPPIN’ & FLIPPIN’
!!!
Online comment to 11/10 Memphis Flyer article which referenced my penchant for limericks:
There
once was a Commissioner named Mulroy
Who's loved making rhymes
since a small boy.
Now he's got clout
So he don't have to
shout
Some say, that Steve, he's got gall, oy.
Posted by BruceVanWyngarden on November 23, 2010 at 1:51 PM | Report this comment
…AND MY ONLINE RESPONSE:
Tribute
limericks? The Commish is flattered
That literati act as tho his
verse mattered
I hope you don't mind
If I respond in kind
So
my poetic streak is not shattered
Happy Thanksgiving!
[At 2/28/11 County Comm’n meeting, farewell to Minutes Clerk Careleane Tuggle]
For Careleane, we give three cheers
As she leaves, we’ll all shed some tears
We’ll all miss Miss Tuggle
Without her, we’ll struggle
Our “Minutes” will seem like years
[At April 2011 Dutch Treat Luncheon debate against Rep. Curry Todd]
With school merger, emotions run high
But they’ll cool as time goes by
Though it may seem odd
With or without Norris-Todd
It’ll all get worked out by and by
FAREWELL SONNET FOR RETIRING SHELBY COUNTY COMMISSION
MINUTES CLERK CARELEANE TUGGLE
By Commissioner Steve Mulroy April 29, 2011
Oh yes, oh yes, a tribute now in verse
To Minutes Clerk of note, Careleane Tuggle
Who always did her best, and never worse
To put up with us pols, though quite a struggle
In airline uniform she could be found
Moonlighting jet-setter full of surprise
Though she seemed by day, mere servant on the ground
By night, a flying hero in ‘disguise’
Our heartfelt thanks? Oh, she sure did win it
While we jawboned, she focused all her powers
She faithfully kept up with all her Minutes
Even when each Minute seemed like hours
For your virtues, and also for your quirks
You’re one of the all-time great Minutes Clerks