a poem at his inauguration. It is said this was a first.
Kennedy had requested the poem ‘The Gift Outright’ .Frost had another idea and composed a new poem. Problem was in the wind and glare he was not able to see his newly created poem and had to revert to what he knew by heart, the poem Kennedy had requested. The poem looked back to our revolutionary history with England. Two lines carry into our hearts today.
Such as we were we gave ourselves outright…
Such as she was, such as she would become.
Into the Darkness
We hear their cries as our cries.
Holding a deepening intention,
banners rise, reach into the darkness
of dreams, a percussion guarding
a noble commitment. As we return
to face the daily carnage, we remember
those who have fallen and will yet fall.
We know these wounds will require more
than caring attention and deeper release.
Our freedom, known as a birthright,
is a rare gift, a precious privilege
paid for in young blood offered freely
and ultimate sacrifice. But as our spirits
weary and the water table drains,
neighbors, strangers, and friends are
coming together with a shared question.
What is called for now, as our current
leader continues to live beyond our law?
Is it possible, can we take a selfless
journey, get clear enough, to live
the ancient scroll: Only a deep love
will heal our profound ignorance, what
we truly believe to be so. Let us unite.