This Is What You Shall Do

Today we’re going to read a poem by one of the more famous American poets (Walt Whitman) who was more spiritual than religious. Even though it was written 150 years ago, perhaps the non-religious language might provoke some thoughts and feelings in you that Jesus probably provoked with his non-religious language back when he taught. Listen in. Perhaps the Spirit is speaking…

This is what you shall do: 

Love the earth and sun and the animals, 

despise riches, 

give alms to every one that asks, 

stand up for the stupid and crazy, 

devote your income and labor to others, 

hate tyrants, 

argue not concerning God, 

have patience and indulgence toward the people, 

take off your hat to nothing known or unknown 

or to any man or number of men, 

go freely with powerful uneducated persons 

and with the young 

and with the mothers of families, 

read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, 

re-examine all you have been told at school 

or church 

or in any book, 

dismiss whatever insults your own soul, 

and your very flesh shall be a great poem 

and have the richest fluency 

not only in its words 

but in the silent lines of its lips and face 

and between the lashes of your eyes 

and in every motion and joint of your body.

• "This is what you shall do..." by Walt Whitman, from the preface of Leaves of Grass.