Nature

A Pantoum

Said Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“Our age is retrospective…”

“…Should we not also enjoy an original relation

to the universe?”

Our age is retrospective…

— Religion is what he means –

…to the universe.

“Why should not we have a poetry and philosophy of insight…?”

Religion is what he means,

for it has been handed down to us.

Why should not we have a poetry and philosophy of insight

And not of tradition…?

For it has been handed down to us –

Said he: “Why should we not have a religion by revelation to us…”

And not of tradition!

“…not a history of theirs?”

Said Ralph Waldo Emerson:

Should we not also enjoy an original relation?