Another January first, keep them coming:
I awoke early from my spiritual retreat
walking slowly toward breakfast after the bell,
past crumpled dark luminaries and frost ready
to melt, and I was in step with other seniors
some speaking, some silent with worshipful intent.
We woke early at our religious retreat
after a feast night with music, ringing the bells—
senior citizens waiting to hear God, ready
for earth's midnight. We've gathered together, senior
moments on hold, radios turned off, so intent
on this December thirty first. Keep them coming.
We walked slowly toward breakfast after the bell
hoping to find even breakfast changed and ready
for anything but the same cereals seniors
eat daily. But, I asked comrades, what if—intent
as we are on change—we miss the joy of coming
to familiar comforts with no need to retreat?
We look around, we dark luminaries, ready
to glow as suns in training, stars of the senior
class, ready to graduate, to commence, intent
on lighting the wicks of insight! Keep them coming.
Today is not just a day—today ends retreat.
Finally this morning we know, so, ring the bell.
Let no one say we are over-the-hill seniors
depressed by cereal and eggs. We are intent
on being heard in congress and we are coming
in droves to plant ourselves on the paths. Since retreat,
we grow strong, bold again with a liberty bell
in our voices, soul riding on backbones, ready.
New Year’s Eve and day worship renew our intent
to move as God leads us and so we are coming
to walk on the wild side after this brief retreat.
We're full of enthusiasm this morning. Bells,
we eat granola and go to meeting ready
to leave retirement, graduating seniors.
January first's coming again. No retreat.
Listen to the bells peal and send us out, ready
to love as only seniors can, with great intent.
Copyright © 2013 S.L.Chast
