We're taking bets that people are great...

I stumbled upon this poem in Michael Gelb's book "How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci: 7 Steps to Genius Every Day" I thought it was an appropriate poem for this time of year. With Thankgiving only 2 days away I think that we should be thankful for the people who have been truly great in our lives both alive and dead. I hope you enjoy this poem as much as I did.

I THINK CONTINUALLY OF THOSE WHO WERE TRULY GREAT
by Sir Stephen Spender

I think continually of those who were truly great.
Who from the womb, remembered the soul's history
Through corridors of light where the hours are suns,
Endless and singing. Whose lovely ambition
Was that their lips. still touched by fire,
Should tell of the spirit clothed from head to foot in song.
And who hoarded from the spring branches
The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms.
What is precious is never to forget
The delight of the blood drawn from ageless springs
Breaking through rocks in worlds before our earth;
Never to deny its pleasure in the simple morning light,
Nor it's grave evening demand for love;
Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother
With noise and fog the flowering of the spirit.

Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest field
See how those names are feted by the wavering grass,
And by the streamers of white cloud,
And whispers of wind in the listening sky;
The names of those who in their lives fought for live,
Who wore at their hearts the fire's center.
Born of the sun they traveled a short while towards the sun.
And left the vivid air signed with their honor.