Thanks in Old Age

Thanks in old age — thanks ere I go,

For health, the midday sun, the impalpable air — for life, mere life,

For precious ever-lingering memories, ( of you my mother dear — you, father — you, brothers, sisters, friends,)

For all my days — not those of peace alone — the days of war the same,

For gentle words, caresses, gifts from foreign lands,

For shelter, wine and meat — for sweet appreciation,

( You distant, dim unknown — or young or old — countless, unspecified, readers belov'd,

We never met, and neer shall meet — and yet our souls embrace, long, close and long;)

For beings, groups, love, deeds, words, books — for colors, forms,

For all the brave strong men — devoted, hardy men — who've forward sprung in freedom's help, all years, all lands

For braver, stronger, more devoted men — ( a special laurel ere I go, to life's war's chosen ones,

The cannoneers of song and thought — the great artillerists — the foremost leaders, captains of the soul:)

As soldier from an ended war return'd — As traveler out of myriads, to the long procession retrospective,

Thanks — joyful thanks!— a soldier's, traveler's thanks.