September 2013
Recently discovered the poems of American Walt Whitman (1819-1872), lots of sea-related ones and coastal views, but given that our household has recently celebrated a corresponding significant birthday, we found this one, written as he approached his 70th birthday, particularly apt - Queries to My Seventieth Year.
Approaching, nearing, curious, thou dim, uncertain spectre - bringest thou life or death?
Strength, weakness, blindness, more paralysis and heavier?
Or placid skies and sun? Wilt stir the waters yet? Or haply cut me short for good?
Or leave me here as now, dull, parrot-like and old, with crack'd voice harping, screeching?
Cheerful thoughts! He died 3 years later (the poet, not my significant other!)
Approaching, nearing, curious, thou dim, uncertain spectre - bringest thou life or death?
Strength, weakness, blindness, more paralysis and heavier?
Or placid skies and sun? Wilt stir the waters yet? Or haply cut me short for good?
Or leave me here as now, dull, parrot-like and old, with crack'd voice harping, screeching?
Cheerful thoughts! He died 3 years later (the poet, not my significant other!)
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