Walt Whitman, God, and Me

Buffalo Mountain shaded my young heart with peace when I wrote poetry. My father took notice of an early love for words and gifted me a book of poems on my 13th Valentine’s Day.

I remember precious hours reading the works of masters named Shakespeare, Keats, and others. Walt Whitman’s poem “I think I could turn and live with animals” reached deep into both mind and heart. The poem’s accompanying picture of wild horses grazing in dappled sunlight stirred my young soul.

I still turn these pages to renew memories embedded in childhood and nature. My aged eyes now consider other resonant themes as I read Whitman’s poem through different lenses. His poetic masterpiece also describes the simple nature of animals who do not complain about their lives or obligations to God, nor do they place value on things or status.

I ponder my abundance in this land of plenty and the times I’ve decried worldly lack instead of recognizing spiritual wealth. Today’s abundance emanates from smiles of friends, love from family, and warmth of community.

Past laments carousel days my brain related more with duty for God out of fear, instead of love for others because of grace. Today’s sorrows flow from each repented sin as I celebrate a forgiven past and examine relationship with Christ as my plumb line.

My life is in continuous edit and revision as I scrutinize outward deeds and inward motives. I reflect on Whitman known for continuous editing of his works. He revised writings and exchanged words for evolving beliefs and life views. We live as poets before God searching for ways to renew lives, edit responses, and rephrase thoughts.

God is the master author and editor of humanity. He displays renewal in changing seasons. He teaches transformation through the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2). As effort unveils spiritual comprehension, we learn to look upward for our place in heaven, not outward for a place among men.

God’s breath gave us life and through His son, eternal life. Living for our triune God, our choices and revisions set us free. Free to fail and fall as we lament and repeat these cycles until we are living in the place He prepares.

Until then, God works through our spiritual maturations to help ready us for heaven. Guided by his breath, He’ll right our course with love. When we stumble, He’ll pick us up as we roam free like wild horses galloping with abandon on newly minted grass.

I THINK I COULD TURN AND LIVE WITH ANIMALS

I think I could turn and live with animals, they

     are so placid and self-contained:

I stand and look at them long and long.

They do not sweat and whine,

     about their condition;

They do not lie awake

     in the dark and weep for their sins;

They do not make me sick

discussing their duty to God;

Not one is dissatisfied –not one is demented with

     the mania of owning things;

Not one kneels to another, nor his kind that lived

     thousands of years ago;

Not one is respectable or industrious over the

     whole earth.

                             WALT WHITMAN