THANKS IN OLD AGE.

Thanks in old age—thanks ere I go,

For health, the midday sun, the impalpable air — for life,
mere life,

For precious ever-lingering memories, (of you my mother
dear — you, father — you, brothers, sisters, friends,)

For all my days — not those of peace alone — the days of
war the same,

For gentle words, caresses, gifts from foreign lands,

For shelter, wine and meat — for sweet appreciation,

(You distant, dim unknown — or young, or old — countless,
unspecified, beloved,

We never met, and ne'er shall meet — and yet our souls em-
brace, long, close and long;)

For beings, groups, love, deeds, words, books — for colors,
forms,

For all the brave strong men — devoted, hardy men — who've
forward sprang in freedom's help, all years, all lands,

For braver, stronger, more devoted men — (a special laurel
ere I go to life's war's chosen ones,

The cannoneers of song and thought — the great artillery-
men — the foremost leaders, captains of the soul;)

As soldier from an ended war return'd — As traveler out of
myriads, to the long procession retrospective,

Thanks — joyful thanks! — a soldier's, traveler's thanks.

WALT WHITMAN.

WALT WHITMAN

Thanks — joyfully thanks! — a soldier's traveler's thanks
myriad, to the long procession retrospective.

As soldier from an ended war returned — As traveler out of
men — the foremost leader, captains of the soul!)

The canonization of song and thought — the great artillery-
ere I go to life's war's chosen ones

For prancer stronger, more devoted men — (in special tunnel
forward shang in freedom's help all the way — all lands

For all the brave strong men — devoted, hardy men — who've
lomed,

For beings' groups, love, deeds, words, books — for colors,
peace, long close and long!)

We never met, and never shall meet — and yet our souls em-
unspecified beloved.

(You distant, dim unknown — of young, or old — countless,
for shelter, wine and meat — for sweet appreciation.

For gentle words, carcases, gifts from foreign lands,
wait the same.

For all my days — not those of peace alone — the days of
day — you, father — for your brother's(ies) children.

For precious ever-flopping memories (of you any mother
more life.

For health, the mind's ear, the unapparent air — for life,
Thanks in old age — thanks ere I go.

THANKS IN OLD AGE.