A Poem for Today

[intertext]

I needed this. Between fractious students, a lingering cough and chest pain and tiredness after a night disturbed by high winds, it's good to be reminded of what matters.

Te Deum
by Charles Reznikoff


Not because of victories
I sing,
having none,
but for the common sunshine,
the breeze,
the largess of the spring.

Not for victory
but for the day's work done
as well as I was able;
not for a seat upon the dais
but at the common table.

Comments

[kalquessa.livejournal.com]

This? Is exactly what I needed to see at just this moment. Thank you very much.

[sunsoakeddreams.livejournal.com]

I know you have no idea who I am, but I am leaving this comment to you because I am strangely affected by the poem you posted. I have come to value the simple things in life more than I ever had before. I have come to realize that the extraordinary experiences I may encounter, though grand at the time, are not enough to carry me through a lifetime, and therefore are not what I should focus every ounce of my efforts on, and that making the smaller moments count is often more important. As I sit here right now listening to my favorite song and enjoying the few minutes of peace I will get today before I need to get back to the grind, I find myself encouraged by the fact that my aimless browsing has brought me to you, someone else who at this moment in time is also grateful for the more common things in life. So thank you, I guess.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

And random connections like this move me almost as much as the poem. You happened to find the post and comment, then I stopped by and read the poem and your comment--and so it goes.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

That's lovely--yes, give us this day these moments, and for these we thank you....

[egretplume.livejournal.com]

This was perfect.

[jasminembla.wordpress.com (from livejournal.com)]

When I need cheering I visit this site: http://cuteoverload.com/ and look at the animals. :)

-Jasmine