Monumental Bummer

[deckardcanine]

The Washington Monument’s history’s sad.
I don’t mean to say that the tower looks bad.
It just took an awfully long time to complete,
And its record for height took mere months to defeat
After opening up to the public, you see.
You’ve heard of the victor; it’s found in Paree.
It’s not even made to commemorate aught,
Just prove itself possible (many thought not).
If only it weren’t for that decades-long pause
In the D.C. construction! So what was the cause?
The money ran out, and a struggle ensued
For control of the project (those Know-Nothings — rude).
There followed, of course, a great war between states.
Construction resumed at a much later date.
At least it’s still here and as famous as ever,
Perhaps, in the long run, a worthy endeavor.