Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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The Enlightenment of a Man. Benjamin Franklin, with all his several flaws, Was and still is one of this country's greatest citizens. While defending himself in a hearing, but remaining silent, Meeting in the CockPit, a former room Where Henry VIII conducted his cock fights, Franklin realized he and his country were being falsely accused. Thus, he entered that room with its (English) British officials As a loyal officer of the Crown and English, Then exiting in enlightened retaliation As a 'newborn' citizen of America. If one is alert--certain words and thoughts swirling around us-- We sometimes are 'miraculously' able To completely convert our very core of thinking. (This was inspired after seeing a Ken Burns film on Benjamin Franklin.) Frank Maurer 19 January 2024 2345 Hours.