Iron Mountain ski jump

Iron Mountain ski jump

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Praise for Old Truth-a poem T, 2-7-17


CHRIST IN WINTER: Reflections on Faith & Life for the Years of Winter


The old ladies at the next table
telling of the trips they will take
to go to distant points to see
the grands, of family and of temples…

“You were telling me about Rome,”
she said, when her friend forgot
the thread,

…look good “for their age.”
They have not spilled their chai
…they have not misused the subjunctive
or fallen off the high stools
these places use to separate the nimble
from the stiff…

“You must be this tall to ride.”

…So we must celebrate them in song
and psalm, perhaps a parade
to demean their lives
with a banner that says they are
worthwhile only so long as they do not
act as old as they are

Please, if we are worthy of praise
it is for more than acting young
when we are old.
There is no merit just in piling up
the years.
Yes, I can remember my name. Thank you
for noticing.
But if I am worthy of praise
let it be for remembering the truth.

JRMcF

I tweet as yooper1721.

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