Reflection Poem for Norman Rockwell
By Lenny Giardino

Norman

Through the years, your covers for Post brought joy to newsstands all across America

Today, I saw a man who let subtlety tell a story of America in a time when “happy thoughts” were only allowed.

I dedicate this poetic thought pattern as a part of your gift you gave me today.


As the years progressed, you were allowed to expand your boundaries by the Post

For which those covers I admired the most

A Post Modern transition that took 50 years

Lost in translation was the struggle for rights

I saw it Norman, you wanted to fight.

In the early years, covers were stipulated

However I saw in detail how pictures were manipulated

People sometimes looked tired and oppression was there

You had to look into their eyes to see the despair

Whether it was World Wars or Economic Hardship

You could see how America was struggling with Conflict

Some will argue, your work was missing inclusion

Just like Rod Serling you created an alternative allusion

Stare at the pictures and see what you see

Not all of America was experiencing glee.

Sure Santa was cute, and many covers were Mayberry

But some covers ask us to examine what is hairy

Thank you Norman, again it meant a lot