What did you say, Mr. Thoreau?

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Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2008-05-08 09:04 AM

quote:
On this [6th] day [of May] in 1862, Henry David Thoreau died of tuberculosis. He was 44. His aunt asked him if he was at peace with God. Thoreau said, "I was not aware that we had quarreled."

[Excerpt: The Writer’s Almanac]

Thoreau’s comment could have been said
by the very likes of Mark Twain.
I know people like him. Quick. To the Point.
Unassuming. But never smug.

Perhaps Clemens read, or picked up something
from Thoreau, maybe in a way that one
should not assume anything, especially
the likes of being at peace,
let alone with God.

Seems to me in my [our] [this] time, no one
is going to appease anyone
at any given moment.

Lord knows, we try.
Oh, don’t we?!
[You do. I do. We do; They…may.]

Until we learn that when it seems we can’t say more,
we think we should quit, but those of us
with forgone, long gone DNA atta/forti/tude,
well, we just don’t.
Oh hell, no.

It’s far too much fun
being the pain in the…
but then we look back and think
does any one really care?

Are they fearful any longer of some One
larger than Mussolini, Hitler, Mao, or the Force?
Maybe not, or they could be, of course,
and yet, now, I go back to Thoreau…

Whose quarrel belongs to me?
I might even stand alone,
even on His best day. But I know,
Yes, I know, my friends are with me.

© 7 May 2008, KRJ

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

1 posted 2008-05-08 09:34 AM

Dear Solar Orb, to my mind you are a scribe who writes with an air of poetic sophistication and with a sound, inquiring intellect as its driving force.

A stirring penning! ~ and ya gots me ta thinkin'! And that's a goood thang!

Great write Karilea! ~ and a

Love & Sun Light,
Linda

jmjovies
Junior Member

since 2008-05-03

Posts 32
florida

2 posted 2008-05-08 09:51 AM

this is wonderful
so well though out and beautiful

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

3 posted 2008-05-08 11:54 AM

Ennjoyed this very much and Mr. Thoreau's wit as well.
Ida

gilead
Senior Member

since 2008-03-10

Posts 1067
nevada, USA

4 posted 2008-05-08 12:46 PM

Profoundly wise and warming to the heart---a great write to chew on!

Art

Bob K
Member Elite

since 2007-11-03

Posts 4208

5 posted 2008-05-08 07:24 PM

Dear Sunshine,

           I used to walk around Walden pond when I first got to Boston.  It wasn't very big.  Train tracks rain across a hillock at one corner, but the trains never seemed to come.  The path was a foot and a half or two feet wide, packed dirt, and you had to climb over tree roots every now and again.  Part of the pond was roped off for swimming and the water was silty.  Being a pond, I suspect it had been silty back in Thoreau's time as well.

     There was a cabin built in a little clearing that was supposed to look like Thoreau's cabin, though I couldn't tell you for sure.  The cabin was small,  The study where I'm typing this now is larger.  I've seen cabin kits at Walmart or Sears that were larger.  Back in Thoreau's time, the house where the Alcotts lived would have put them in walking distance, not more than two or three miles away.  And Concord Center perhaps five miles off in another direction, maybe easier than today, because Route 2, which runs close by, makes the walking a little bit noisy and nervous making.  Some of those big rigs look like they'd actually enjoy taking down somebody on foot.

     Two things I remember that I enjoy still about Thoreau.  Somebody once asked him if he didn't feel somewhat restricted, having lived so much of his life around Walden Pond.  And his answer was, roughly, I am very well traveled indeed, around Concord.

     And in another case, I believe it was in print, he defined something as being surprising "as a trout in the milk."  There may in fact be some things more surprising, but that particular trout has always been perfectly caught for me.

     Thank you for your thoreau-going and happy invitation back into the world of Henry David.   Best wishes, BobK.

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

6 posted 2008-05-08 08:12 PM

Enjoyed reading this...James

Didymus
Junior Member

since 2008-05-01

Posts 33
USA

7 posted 2008-05-08 10:42 PM

Deep within our hearts and homes
we live out our lives in habit
The habit may be healthy and wise
or merely comfortable and safe
Quarrelsome or peaceful contentedness
Life is about choices

Interesting read Karilea

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

8 posted 2008-05-09 11:18 AM

I love the quote and your take on it, dear Karilea.

It is a very beautiful poem written in your unique and truly refined style.

I believe it's God Who is always at peace with us, even when we mess up things and forget that we are ONE. You and your friends create a wonderful sense of closeness, but there is more than closeness, there is oneness with our One Divine Source.

Love and hugs.
Margherita

Kit McCallum

Administrator

Member Laureate

since 2000-04-30

Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada

9 posted 2008-05-09 07:10 PM

This is a wonderfully thought provoking read Karilea!

Now you KNOW I love a good read that gets my mind spinning. I loved the quote, but better yet, I loved the thoughts it brought out through you. Really enjoyed this!

Best wishes and big hugs,
/Kit

Richy
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 3050

10 posted 2008-05-09 08:59 PM

I drove this one around the block a few times, to get the whole take on it, and it was worth the extra gas. Thanks for making our minds work, and our hearts, feel Karilea.
So nice to read you again Sunshine.
The radiance of your picture could light up, the night sky.

Rich

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