Page 34 - Contrast1964Spring

THOREAU RECOLLECTED IN
TRANQUILITY

Come down from that tree, Henry David;
You'll not find it up there. Besides you might
fall and crumple the grass!

Come away from your beloved pond, Henry.
know you couldn't get a wife, but r=all y '"
Yes, I know you like to bathe in it once a
month, but how about during the winter? Oh,
the animals don't mind-- I see . And you can
also see your reflection. How nice, Henry.

Come, leave your fishing pole, Henry. Sure
I know how the fish always rush first to your
hook; you told us, remember? Yes, quite tra-
gic. Why you must almost choke when you
swallow the poor fellows.

Please, Henry, do leave your bean patch.
Oh, certainly I realize you're the. only one
with enough sense to get up at five o'clock
to start hoeing. What's that? You say you
don't know why you do it+you just think that
they like it. Oh, I see.

Now don't toss so, Henry; you might up-
root the briars over your grave. Well, I guess
it isn't so hilarious! You were wrong, though,
Henry. You see, those sweet flowers and that
beautiful lake couldn't say one word to you.
They could reflect but so little of the inspira-
tion (the secret) which you sought. Why drink
from the puddle when the fountain isso near?
The very soul that you would use to hint at
their message--they have not. But you--man--
you have!

Oh! Why couldn't you have come to the
village, Henry? We were all just like you. If,
if, you' had just touched one heart. If you
would have just cried out: "Oh God! My God!
Creator of Thy nature and of myself, transcend
Thy Holy Spirit into my yearning and empty
heart. "

But alas, Henry, it will always remain
just an "if," even though you wrote your own
book. For you see, there was One who went
into the wilderness before you.

Duane Lins

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