When in the Course of Human Events
A shorter version of this poem, using words from the Spelling Bee of January 16, 2026, was posted to the Spelling Bee forum on January 17, 2026. On behalf of those who asked for a copy and on behalf of its author peregrine, Rocky Shore Press is making it freely available here. Readers may copy and share it freely providing that 1) it is shared in its entirety, and with the formatting shown here, which is essential to the poem; 2) that it is properly credited to peregrine of the rocky shore; and 3) that the sources for the interwoven texts (The Declaration of Independence and "Won't You Be My Neighbor" by Fred Rogers) are properly credited. Thank you!
When in the Course of Human Events
Things are happening in the neighborhoodIt’s a beautiful day in this neighborhoodThe intent seems maleficWe hold these truths to be self-evidentA beautiful day for a neighborIt’s all becoming too facileCafés are closedThat all men are created equalI have always wanted to have a neighbor just like youLeave camellias roses lilies where she fellPlease won’t you be my neighbor?We are advised to stay calmCertain unalienable RightsSo let’s make the most of this beautiful dayMace and tear gas to the faces of childrenLife, Liberty, and the pursuit of HappinessIn cells in detention centersI’ve always wanted to live in a neighborhood with youFacial recognition is in effectThat to secure these rightsThat are so easily effacedGovernments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powersMalice aforethought andBruises: lilac, ebon, sickly yellow greenWould you be mine? Could you be mine?from the consent of the governedO people do not be miceSo let’s make the most of this beautiful dayThat whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these endsSince we’re together we might as well sayIt is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new GovernmentWon’t you please, won’t you please?
Incorporating Spelling Bee words Jan 16 2026: cafe calm camellia cell efface face facial facile lilac mace malefic malice miceThe opening of the Declaration of Independence“Won't You Be My Neighbor” song lyrics © 1967, Fred M. Rogershttps://www.misterrogers.org/video-playlist/mister-rogers-songs/
—peregrine from the rocky shore
Things are happening in the neighborhoodIt’s a beautiful day in this neighborhoodThe intent seems maleficWe hold these truths to be self-evidentA beautiful day for a neighborIt’s all becoming too facileCafés are closedThat all men are created equalI have always wanted to have a neighbor just like youLeave camellias roses lilies where she fellPlease won’t you be my neighbor?We are advised to stay calmCertain unalienable RightsSo let’s make the most of this beautiful dayMace and tear gas to the faces of childrenLife, Liberty, and the pursuit of HappinessIn cells in detention centersI’ve always wanted to live in a neighborhood with youFacial recognition is in effectThat to secure these rightsThat are so easily effacedGovernments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powersMalice aforethought andBruises: lilac, ebon, sickly yellow greenWould you be mine? Could you be mine?from the consent of the governedO people do not be miceSo let’s make the most of this beautiful dayThat whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these endsSince we’re together we might as well sayIt is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new GovernmentWon’t you please, won’t you please?
Incorporating Spelling Bee words Jan 16 2026: cafe calm camellia cell efface face facial facile lilac mace malefic malice miceThe opening of the Declaration of Independence“Won't You Be My Neighbor” song lyrics © 1967, Fred M. Rogershttps://www.misterrogers.org/video-playlist/mister-rogers-songs/
—peregrine from the rocky shore