LOCAL POET PENS ODE TO OBAMA

Poet and inspirational speaker Hank Stewart is a huge fan of President Barack Obama.

Stewart, who was recently named poet laureate of DeKalb County, penned a poem in honor of the current president.

The video, which is posted on Facebook, is aptly titled “44.”

The Harvard University-educated Obama, who was elected in 2008 and 2012, is the 44th president and the first African-American to hold that office.

“It was not only a thank you, but it was a resume of what he has accomplished,” said Stewart, 53. “I think a lot of people don’t understand or skate over the fact that even after being filibustered over 500 times (a number some dispute), he still has accomplished a lot — health care, saving the auto industry and job growth. He allowed us to move forward.”

Stewart, who has performed at the Trumpet Awards and Essence Music Festival and written and performed commercials, also wanted children to remember the number “44” and its significance in U.S. presidential politics.

Stewart said Obama has been an “unconventional” president. For instance, he let a young African-American child who was visiting the White House touch his hair. He busted a dance move on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” He sang a solo of “Amazing Grace” during a memorial service for South Carolina state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, who was murdered in 2015 in a racially motivated shooting, along with eight other members of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C.

He also maintained his cool in the face of an adversarial Congress, even when Republican Rep. Joe Wilson from South Carolina shouted “you lie” as Obama addressed a joint session of Congress.

“This country was fading,” he said. Stewart said he couldn’t have written “44” in 2009. It was too soon in the presidency.

“At the time, I hadn’t seen what he had accomplished,” he said. “It was easy to write in 2016.”

Nor, said Stewart, was the recent win by GOP candidate and wealthy businessman Donald Trump during a particularly nasty and divisive election a factor in his decision to write the poem.

“It was really all about President Obama.”

Here’s is Stewart’s ode to Obama: 44 Two fours together make the number 44

Now in football, if your team has this number that’s awesome, but in basketball that’s not a good score

There are some great athletes who wore the number 44, and they changed the game Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, Jerry West, and so did George Gervin and Serena Williams; oh I forgot, Serena so bad she doesn’t have a number under her name

When you turn 44 in life, it’s like, you don’t really know how and what to feel But you began to appreciate life because you know at 44, life is precious and real

But 44 is more than just a number for us, it is historical We will remember that number for the rest of our lives Let me tell you why 44 means more to us than 43 or 45

44 gave us hope and audacity, 44 gave us class

44 represented us with dignity, that was birth by the pass

44 showed us, how to be cool, calm and collected, but it also showed us that we could shed a few tears

44 showed us how to pray, raise a hymn and laugh, 44 made a whole lot happen in 8 years

44 was strong, yet 44 was gentle

44 was secure, and 44 was always parental

44 was smart, articulate, and was liked around the world

44 was powerful, but never stopped being a father to his girls

44 had a voice, and was passionate and empathetic Other than 42, which some people thought was black,

44 is the most articulate, athletic and sympathetic

44 could dance, shoot and putt, 44 even tried to sing And it’s safe to say, 44 even had that swag thing

44 could talk to the world leaders, and yet, let a child play in his hair

44 could attend Bulls games, while working on healthcare

44 helped us to stay in our homes, 44 saved the big three The street of walls, what 44 did with our retirement, now that was the key

And did you hear 44 commuted more non-violent offenders than 34-43 combined For what 44 did for this country and the world, 44 deserves to sit back and recline

44 has a brand that can’t ever be duplicated or reproduced I think what I love most about 44 is there was never an excuse

44 took care of business, and did it without any fanfare or noise Even when so much was riding on 44’s decisions, do you remember 44’s poise

And “It” was beside 44 the entire time

“It” had 44’s back, side, and front whenever someone got out of line History will be very good to 44 Taking out Bin Laden, not to mention ending two wars

44 will leave the White House, with no scandal or investigations, with no drama There will never be another 44 in number or in person

We will miss you, President Obama

Hank Stewart