04 August 2008

Mellifluous Mondays: A Birthday Poem

Since it's my 21st birthday on Wednesday, I thought I'd post an appropriate poem today. :) This is "A Birthday Poem" by Ted Kooser. I really like the imagery, starting with a humorous comparison but turning serious in its carpe diem outlook: first, the sun as a dairy cow, but then the entire day just brimming with wonderful, joyful potential. And that is how I want to see every sunrise, not just on my birthday, because "His mercies are new every morning." With that promise in mind, we can truly say, "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!"
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So anyway, the poem. Enjoy.
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Just past dawn, the sun stands
with its heavy red head
in a black stanchion of trees,
waiting for someone to come
with his bucket
for the foamy white light,
and then a long day in the pasture.
I too spend my days grazing,
feasting on every green moment
till darkness calls,
and with the others
I walk away into the night,
swinging the little tin bell
of my name.
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