Happy Monday!  Last night I was watching television with my husband, and I must confess, I grew weary (and then irritated) at the number of political ads and their increasing vitriol.  What has happened to courtesy in this country?  I couldn't help but wonder what some of our past leaders would think of how we know conduct ourselves in the political arena.  One of my favorite presidents was Abraham Lincoln, who read poetry voraciously.  He memorized this poem on a visit to his wife's home in 1847 and then recited it to her family.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Thanatopsis

by William Cullen Bryant

     To him who in the love of Nature holds   

Communion with her visible forms, she speaks   

A various language; for his gayer hours   

She has a voice of gladness, and a smile   

And eloquence of beauty, and she glides   

Into his darker musings, with a mild   

And healing sympathy, that steals away   

Their sharpness, ere he is aware. When thoughts   

Of the last bitter hour come like a blight   

Over thy spirit, and sad images   

Of the stern agony, and shroud, and pall,   

And breathless darkness, and the narrow house,   

Make thee to shudder, and grow sick at heart;—   

Go forth, under the open sky, and list   

To Nature’s teachings, while from all around—

Earth and her waters, and the depths of air—

Comes a still voice— 

I hope you can find a still voice today in between work, family and errands!  Take a moment to "commune with Nature's visible forms" and listen for the voice of gladness!

You can find the rest of the poem at http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/180813.