Fortily

Fortily

Thirty-nine and holding
            Texts near to my bosom
That, perhaps, I'd long forgotten:
            Re-reading for the first time.

Thirty-nine and holding
            Friends in newer esteem
That, perhaps, I'd undervalued:
            Loving again for the first time.

Thirty-nine and holding
            God tighter to my heart
That, perhaps, I'd displaced:
            In the spells of cold Science.

Thirty-nine and holding
            Washington:
            Jefferson:
            Franklin.

Thirty-nine and holding
            Victories:
            Lovers:
            Failures.

Thirty-nine and holding
            Fitzgerald:
            Whitman:
            Melville.

Thirty-nine and holding
            Betrayals:
            Faith:
            Progress.

Thirty-nine and holding
            Charles Darwin:
            Borges:
            Brecht.

Thirty-nine and holding
            Disruption-like stasis,
That, perhaps, I'd cloaked with pride:
            Building truth in sentiment.

Thirty-nine and holding
            This soul's evolution,
That, perhaps, I'd fought too bravely:
            Letting go, firstly, finally, fortily.

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