Do I dare? Do I dare?

It's 1:30 in the afternoon. I just got up and got something to eat. I will need a lot of fresh air today. I was manning the election from 5:00 AM - 8:15 PM, and stayed up until 2:00 to watch results, so I am just wasted today. I feel, in so many ways, "marginal."

Our pastor just sent out a conciliatory e-mail to everyone, knowing that most of us are pretty depressed today. He included Psalm 46, which is quite appropriate, I think.

But being in a "marginal" mood, I had a passage from another poem in mind this morning.

And indeed there will be time
To wonder, "Do I dare?" and, "Do I dare?"
Time to turn back and descend the stair,
With a bald spot in the middle of my hair—
[They will say: "How his hair is growing thin!"]
My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin,
My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin—
[They will say: "But how his arms and legs are thin!"]
Do I dare
Disturb the universe?
In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.

Feel free to take 5 minutes and go back and read the whole poem. In fact, you may find me reading poetry and history a lot these next few weeks. Because history has seen worse times than these, and because poets talked about it a hell of a lot better than we do. Peace and love to you all.