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| Quotes from Walt Whitman |
What if we, like spiders, dared to swing out into the unknown
to find purchase for the bridge which will span to earth's future?
What if we could take each other there with effort, with enough fuel?
What if the song in our hearts were enough fuel?
What if coming from the multitudes were enough?
What if containing multitudes were enough?
What if our identical molecules were enough?
What if our love of adventure were enough?
What if our love of children were enough?
What if our love of self were enough?
I am enough because I eat and sleep,
because I button my shirt, because I love the color
because I button my shirt, because I love the color
of the living, because I have loved.
Swing with me now past the shore of the oceans,
past the edge of the atmosphere, or
if you cannot, wait where you are.
I will return to tell you what I have learned, or
if I cannot, I will fly truth to you on paper planes
like messages from the gods.
For Sumanas Bridges at What's Going On?
Build a Bridge is a poem from 18 September 2012,
inspired by Walt Whitman's "A Noiseless Patient Spider."
Revised on 9/18/2012
© 2024 Susan L. Chast
I am enough because I eat and sleep,
ReplyDeletebecause I button my shirt, because I love the color
of the living, because I have loved. - how wonderful is this thought... just recognizing it would be enough to take on any of those bridges crossing the oceans... lovely!!!
The poem is so complete with affirmations. "What if the song in our hearts were enough fuel?" It is, specially when our destination is Truth. I also love the stanza Rajani quoted.
ReplyDelete"What if the song in our hearts were enough fuel?" I believe we would have enough fuel if our hearts all joined together. Which looks a long ways off at the moment, lacking inspiring leaders. I wish Obama was running now! Your two closing stanzas absolutely soar, swinging off like that spider herself, to see what there is to see and report back. A wonderful flight of a poem, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI loved the lines that Rajani quoted, as well as the ending --
ReplyDelete"I will return to tell you what I have learned, or
if I cannot, I will fly truth to you on paper planes
like messages from the gods."
I also enjoyed reflecting on the contemplative questions -- each one could be the launch line of its own poem!
I like the repetition in this poem, Susan, that is like a mantra.
ReplyDeleteJust lovely. Sort of Mary Oliver meets Rod McKuen and yet all your own for all that.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wise and wonderful ending - Jae
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteA very depthful poem which invites much consideration.
There's such strength to the webs thrown and spun by spiders. Casting their presence into the unknown; taking a chance.
So much of life, requires bravery and and taking those steps beyond comfort, when necessary.
Crossing many bridges..
The spider webs pulled my into this poem. I found it hopeful.
ReplyDeleteThe spider is always a good model for creating connections.
ReplyDeleteI loved this poem and the way it swept me up into believing that we are all enough just as we are right now. Suzanne- wordpress blog - Wayfaring
ReplyDelete