Mr. Sam’s Library

Thomas Hemminger

March 24, 2024

A classical revival building 

on the fringe of Bonham, Texas 

evokes the timeless imagery of Washington – 

a dignity befitting the

longest-serving Speaker of the House. 

The man who was raised and would labor

just a few miles from this repository’s door, 

would go on to bring electricity 

to this part of the nation – 

and to others much like it. 

His furniture and books, 

his likenesses in every way depicted,

from campaign buttons to 

stately painted portraits,

secure his honorable memory. 

He was friend to almost everyone, 

a uniter of divided houses,

an unwaveringly dependable human 

to steward the work of the people 

from the farm fields to the stars. 

Roosevelt would seek him for the ticket,

but a lesson from our first president

taught Speaker Rayburn that 

ambition without purpose

is a road best left untraveled.

Thomas Hemminger is an elementary music teacher living in Dallas, Texas. His work has been published locally in Dallas, as well as in The Wilda Morris Poetry Challenge, The Texas Poetry Assignment, and The Poetry Catalog. His personal hero is Mr. Fred Rogers, the creator of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. It was through America’s favorite “neighbor” that Thomas learned of the importance of loving others, and of giving them their own space and grace to grow.