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 ne’er 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. + 