Thanks in Old Age

*** Revised Common Lectionary *** Lectionary Reading: Psalm 105:1-11, 45b CLASSIC POEM: Thanks in Old Age Walt Whitman Thanks in old age—thanks ere I go, For health, the midday sun, the impalpable air—for life, mere life, For precious ever-lingering memories, (of you my mother dear —you, father—you, brothers, sisters, friends,) For all my days—not those of peace alone—the days of war the same, For gentle words, caresses, gifts from foreign lands, For shelter, wine and meat—for sweet appreciation, (You distant, dim unknown—or young or old—countless, un- specified, readers belov’d, We never met, and ne’er shall meet—and yet our souls embrace, long, close and long;) For beings, groups, love, deeds, words, books—for colors, forms, For all the brave strong men—devoted, hardy men—who’ve for- ward sprung in freedom’s help, all years, all lands, For braver, stronger, more devoted men—(a special laurel ere I go, to life’s war’s chosen ones, The cannoneers of song and thought—the great artillerists—the foremost leaders, captains of the soul:) As soldier from an ended war return’d—As traveler out of myriads, to the long procession retrospective, Thanks—joyful thanks!—a soldier’s, traveler’s thanks. *** This poem is in the public domain, and may be read in a live-streamed worship service. CONTEMPORARY POEM: Here, There Are Blueberries Mary Szybist SNIPPET: When I see the bright clouds, a sky empty of moon and stars, I wonder what I am, that anyone should note me. … [ READ THE FULL POEM ]