This Age
by Richard Stoltzfoos
For such a time as this you have been born,
Not for Victorian England nor Dark Ages;
Nor from the arms were you unfairly torn
Of Roman princes or of Grecian sages.
Those eras covet not; this century
Is your marriage, arranged and permanent.
Eschew time-travel, that adultery;
Each spouse has strengths and flaws, so be content.
This time—right now—has everything to love.
Its earth has greener grass and streams more clear;
Its song and costume fit you like a glove;
Its language is not foreign to your ear.
Those other ages notice, but dismiss,
For you were born for such a time as this.
Richard Stoltzfoos is the son of Adin,
son of Wilmer,
son of Elam,
son of Moses,
son of Samuel,
son of John,
son of Christian,
son of Nicholas Stoltzfus,
who in the year 1766 emigrated from Europe,
being born of Christian Gottlieb Stoltzfus,
of the Saxon line of that name
which began in the year of our Lord 400,
by the provision of God, in German Saxony.
Photography by Kenneth Godoy
Amen to this. You put it well. Despite the formidable lineage, you are Exactly Here. And not only in this Age, but in this Place, this country, this house, this chair. It’s astonishing how many people (including myself in seasons) succumb to the fantasy of the otherwhere.
Yes, a thumbs up on the point and the poetry. It’s a bit like Elrond’s line: “[We] are here met, in this very nick of time, by chance as it may seem…”
I will quote this poorly, but when Frodo says he doesn’t want to carry the ring (his destiny), Gandalf tells him something to the effect of, So do many others, but you were MEANT to be in this place and you were MEANT to carry the ring, “and that is an encouraging thought!” (Sorry for the butchery, but you get the idea and how Gandalf is affirming your piece.)