Sin in My Seventh Year

Linda M. Stitt
From:   Passionate Intensity.

I own,
in varying degrees,
to the seven deadly sins
    - and countless others, more trivial,
but now,
in my three score and tenth year,
I confess, above all, to pride.

I am not too proud
for hand-me-downs and handouts
and even, on occasion, helpful advice.

I am not proud of my looks,
    - that was long ago,
nor of my accomplishments,
save that I have survived.

I have no pride of possessions,
    all are impermanent and mutable,
nor of my intellect which, like my body,
is swiftly succumbing to the indignities of age.

I might take pride in the kind hearts of my children but,
fearing the jealousy of the gods,
I shall keep silent,

But I am proud,
fiercely and joyously proud,
simply of being here,
of existing at this time and place
in the continuum of consciousness,
as witness and participant.

I am proud that I have been summoned by the universe,
to learn its workings,
to serve the great work as lover and beloved.

I am so proud to be a drop in the bucket of totality,
a spark in the blazing glory of creation.

I am proud, beyond measure,
    like a freshman at the senior prom,
of having been invited to the dance.

Poem 1 | Poem 2 | Poem 3 | Poem 4 | Poem 5 | Poem 6

Linda M. Stitt's works copyright © to the author.