Sitting at Their Feet

By John I. Blair

I’ve sat at the feet of S. I. Hayakawa, been
Dazzled by the dance and song of Miriam Makeba,
Heard Margaret Mead recite a poem
As I crouched at the rear of the hall.

To me all these and many more
Are not just names out of the past –
They once were shining eyes, warm voices,
Breathing, animated flesh I could have touched.

History and thought are not just
Dull and dusty words on printed pages;
They’re lives preserved, blessings given
To help us lurch into the future.

©2017 John I. Blair, 4/9/2017