2.22.2014

feel the tiller-rope
...Thoreau's Journal: 22-Feb-1841

The whole of the day should not be daytime, nor of the night night-time, but some portion be rescued from time to oversee time in. All our hours must not be current; all our time must not lapse. There must be one hour at least which the day did not bring forth,—of ancient parentage and long-established nobility,—which will be a serene and lofty platform overlooking the rest. We should make our notch every day on our characters, as Robinson Crusoe on his stick. We must be at the helm at least once a day; we must feel the tiller-rope in our hands, and know that if we sail, we steer.

2 comments:

michael jameson said...

one must set aside time each day to reflect upon it! he has to see how he's affected the ones around him and put himself in their shoes,and what he has learned! if he can do this HE WILL BE TRULY HAPPY

clarkie said...

Out of Time

("there must be at least one hour which the day did not bring forth.." - Thoreau)


It's late; the read words become too heavy
the mind a rusted freighter loaded with
scrap iron barely moving on a calm sea
instead of arising a word-led launch
heavier than air the great bird-like frame
shaking in the wind, motor chattering
on a blustery day at Kitty Hawk
into the chart-less skyways unsupported