My Covenant with All That Is
I pledge to follow
The earth’s gentle curve
As I go;
I pledge to breathe only air as I am able;
I pledge to breathe often;
I pledge to eat of the earth;
Nothing other shall pass my lips.
I pledge to wend along the ways,
Trodding earth, never air,
Clouds and sun above,
What rocks are there under foot.
I pledge to see as best I can in bright sun;
I pledge to squint as I am able in dark;
I pledge to remain
Upright at times
When I am able;
To lie prone when the need arises.
I pledge to find flames hot;
To find snow cold;
To find water according to its fashion;
I pledge to love as best I can;
To hate sparingly;
To mock seldom;
To judge not;
To jump to few conclusions;
To subscribe to few illusions.
I pledge to be
As I am able
And to cease
As the rules require.
David Breeden earned an MFA degree from The Iowa Writers' Workshop, a PhD from the Center for Writers at the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Master of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School. He has published several books of poetry, translations, and essays. His blog and sermons can be found at www.FirstUnitarian.org
- The Crooked Timber of Ourselves - May 1, 2020
- Justice, Elections, and Whiteness - November 6, 2014
- Conscience and Choosing the Hill to Die On - October 30, 2014
