State of the Union

The president speaks; the crowd’s on their feet,
All applauding to show their support.
Bipartisan unity, so it appears,
Or at least that’s what newsmen report.

Somebody was counting – I heard the result:
There were forty-five standing ovations.
It seems a bit over the top, don’t you think?
Though their actions need no explanations.

Watching them was familiar, reminding me of
Rosh Hashanah, when I go to shul.
We stand up and sit down, though without the applause,
At least forty-five times, as a rule.

These two different events, thought alike in some ways,
One should really not try to equate;
‘Cause we all are aware, in the U.S. of A.
We must separate temple and state!