Abraham Lincoln

tonight I will sit with Abraham Lincoln
we will listen with respect to each other
bowing our heads in concentration
listening with our silence

I will sit with Abraham at all his ages
and all of his mirth, and sorrow
I will listen like I have never listened
and lift my head up, and smile
 maybe he will let me wear his mask
a damn fine mask

most of our lives are creeks and streams
so that when you discover a river your eyes go wide
'holy cow'--the width, the span, the power

Abraham, you are my river
tell me a story
and I will abide the banks

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