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Ode to the Joyful Ones
by Thomas Lux

Shield your joyful ones.
—from an Anglican prayer

That they walk, even stumble,
among us is reason
to praise them,
or protect them—
even the sound of a lead slug
dropped on a lead plate,
even that, for them, is music.
Because they bring laughter’s
brief amnesia. Because they
stand, talking,
taking pleasure in others,
with their hands on the shoulders
of strangers
and the shoulders
of each other.
Because you don’t have to tell them
to walk toward the light.
Because if there are two pork chops
they will serve you the better one.
Because they will give you
the crutch off their backs.
Because when there are two
of them together
their shining fills the room.
Because you don’t have to tell them
to walk toward the light.

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