VISTA Epic Poem

I

In the year 2010 A.D., a scare was wrought across that land…
as VISTAs themselves were unsure of their plan…
for the controlling powers that be…
had decided to cut the program, claiming they couldn't pay the fee.

So upon the earth the ground did shake…
with college students lost and leaving only sorrow in their wake…
for no guidance from VISTA workers could be had…
no opportunities to volunteer, no reason to be glad.

The streets were filled with children in despair…
no homework was done, and excuses were brought to bear…
upon desperate teachers who had lost all reason to care…

The flow of money was halted by a dam of inactivity…
as grants and foundations shuttered their doors to
the needs of the community…
as no person was there to write the application…
that would in time cure the affliction.

The nonprofits were burning in fiery torment…
for their lack of capacity building and sustainability…
were considered moot in this unsightly moment…

Executive directors and even bar owners received such a scare...
"Oh! Why? Oh! Why?" they lamented…
were the VISTAs not there?!

II

Yet upon the northern land of Erie, where a frigid wind blows…
were aroused a chosen seven from their oft hung-over repose…
A near impossible task was laid upon their plate…
to ease the suffering of poverty stricken children…
whose lives were controlled by the clocks ticking fate.

So upon foot, cylinder and cycle did the seven go to chosen sites…
Whereupon the grip of poverty would meet its fight…

Two damsels, beautiful of face and full of heart…
were sent to colleges to rouse up a throng…
of student legions youthful and strong.

where with hand and mind did he find line and sail…
in which to build a vessel…
that was sure not to fail.


One was sent to care for the ground…
teaching children of trees and plants that grew all around…
who even spoke to them about birds that abound.

And yet still another was fetched to ease the suffering…
of mothers and children who were told they were nothing.

And to help the newcomers lost and confused…
a chosen VISTA was sent to spread the news…
of hope and a better life…
far away from their countries…
full of suffering a strife.

But Alas! Arose a foreboding cloud in the East…
that held captive the people in gloomy unease…
luckily two other VISTAs were sent with pencil and dodge ball firmly in hand…
with the task of empowering youth all across the land.


III

And so it came to pass in the year 2011…
when the people sang praises of VISTAs up to the heavens.

With trumpet and song and beer and wine…
did all the people have a mighty fine time.

And as the year wore down, the party grew quicker…
when in came Sam Rigotti with a bottle of liquor.

"Hark!" He exclaimed. "To the Villa we will ride…
to dine with the knights of Meadville…
within whom we abide.”
And to celebrate the success of a year done through…
gave one last toast to the VISTA crew.

The End.