Pages

Friday, January 16, 2009

Poetry Friday - Miracles

In the wake of yesterday's plane crash (emergency landing) in the Hudson River, the word miracle is being uttered by nearly everyone who reports on it. When I hear the word miracle, I always think of Whitman. Today's offering comes from Leaves of Grass.
Miracles
by Walt Whitman

Why, who makes much of a miracle?
As to me I know of nothing else but miracles,
Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan,
Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky,
Or wade with naked feet along the beach just in the
    edge of the water,
Or stand under trees in the woods,
Or talk by day with any one I love, or sleep in the bed at night
    with any one I love,
Or sit at table at dinner with the rest,
Or look at strangers opposite me riding in the car,
Or watch honey-bees busy around the hive of a summer forenoon,
Or animals feeding in the fields,
Or birds, or the wonderfulness of insects in the air,
Or the wonderfulness of the sundown, or of stars shining so quiet
    and bright,
Or the exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in spring;
These with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles,
The whole referring, yet each distinct and in its place.
The round up this week is being hosted by Karen Edmisten. Please stop by to take in all the great poetry being shared. Before you go, do check out this week's poetry stretch results. Happy poetry Friday, all!

11 comments:

  1. *swoon*

    Excellent choice. I read that the pilot is not only a former fighter pilot, but also runs a company that trains pilots in safety techniques. It is a miracle that he was the one in the cockpit when things went south.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love Walt Whitman's poetry, that is another lovely one.
    Miracles are indeed all around us.
    And whoa, that plane crash was a BIG one!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh thank you. We need to read that daily, huh?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I know of nothing else but miracles...

    Ain't it the truth...

    ReplyDelete
  5. I agree with Liz in Ink: As to me I know of nothing else but miracles is a great way to live.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It seems to be a week of miracles :) Mine is more homely, but Whitman describes it perfectly! THANKS!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tricia,

    Is it too late to delurk? Each day I look forward to your thoughtful posts and book recommendations. Your choice of Whitman's poem is perfect for today. Thank you so much for sharing it.

    Catherine
    (K-8 Literacy Specialist in CT)

    ReplyDelete
  8. "These with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles,
    The whole referring, yet each distinct and in its place."

    My he says that so well. Amen!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Tricia,

    Great choice! Too bad we don't notice and appreciate all the little miracles around us more often.

    That pilot and his crew are certainly to be commended for getting all the passengers out alive.

    ReplyDelete