Notice (by Steve Kowit)
This evening, the sturdy Levi’s
I wore every day for over a year
& which seemed to the end
in perfect condition,
suddenly tore.
How or why I don’t know,
but there it was: a big rip at the crotch.
A month ago my friend Nick
walked off a racquetball court,
showered,
got into his street clothes,
& halfway home collapsed & died.
Take heed, you who read this,
& drop to your knees now & again
like the poet Christopher Smart,
& kiss the earth & be joyful,
& make much of your time,
& be kindly to everyone,
even to those who do not deserve it.
For although you may not believe
it will happen,
you too will one day be gone,
I, whose Levi’s ripped at the crotch
for no reason,
assure you that such is the case.
Pass it on.
I just love how an ordinary old pair of ripped jeans can remind us of profound and practical spiritual truth if we’re open to it.
May you and I live, dropping to our knees from time to time, to kiss the earth, giving thanks for it all and celebrating life, the love we’ve known and all the laughter we’ve experienced. Making the most of our time as Bishop Spong says, “Living fully, loving wastefully and being all that we can be,” is what life’s all about and what God intended.
This poem reminds me of one of my favorite old songs in Christian contemporary circles by one of my favorites – Randy Stonehill. “I’m going to celebrate this heartbeat, keep moving on, look towards tomorrow cause the past is gone…”
CELEBRATE THIS HEARTBEAT
I’m gonna celebrate this heartbeat
Cause it just might be my last
Everyday is a gift from the Lord on high
And they all go by so fast
I’m not shy, I won’t hide
The happy way I feel inside
There’s a love light shining down on me
And it’s true, I can’t lie
There is more to life than meets the eye
So I want to live each moment faithfully, yeah
I’m gonna celebrate this heartbeat
Cause it just might be my last
Everyday is a gift from the Lord on high
and they all go by so fast
So many people drithing in a dream
I only want to live the real thing
I’m gonna celebrate this heartbeat
And keep movin’ on
Look toward tomorrow cause the past is gone
If I laugh, it’s no crime
I’ve got great news on my mind
It’s a hope that never fades way
Now I don’t understand
All the mysteries of the master plan
But I’m sure the Master does
So that’s okay, yeah
I’m gonna celebrate this heartbeat
Cause it just might be my last
Everyday is a gift from the Lord on high
And they all go by so fast
So many people drifting in the night
(Lonely people in the night)
I’m gonna keep the Morning Star in sight, alright
Celebrate this heartbeat and keep movin’ on
Look toward tomorrow cause the past is gone
This world is in so much trouble
All of the sadness can break you down
But if you’re ever going to change it
You must show them the love you’ve found
Hey now, everyday is a gift from the Lord on high
And they all go by so fast
So many people drifting in a dream
(Find the life that love can bring)
I only want to live the real thing
I’m gonna celebrate this heartbeat
And keep movin’ on
Look toward tomorrow cause
The past is gone
I said the past is gone
Yeah, you know the past is gone
Oh yeah, oh, the past is gone
Movin’ on
Give a listen…
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