Even in deep
Indian summer all wore hats.
Always before the end out they
stooped a rank at a time
to waiting buses.
Not a face dead
across could you read
close up. Once I grabbed
a freshman’s spyglasses the nearer
to observe for the science of the occasion.
a clicked pass or
first down
rush.
None stood or cheered.
None appeared
to move.
I knew then why
we used that word,
that time’s handle for
those like them brought be-
neath ticking toward Thanksgiving
dour squat suns in coal country gone sour
for an hour frozen in retreat
from the Athens State
Hospital, insane .
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
