These are words from “America the Beautiful” written by Katharine Lee Bates, who wrote the words as a poem originally entitled “Pikes Peak.” It was first published in the Fourth of July 1895 edition of the church periodical, The Congregationalist. It was at that time that the poem was first entitled “America.”
I began my life in the South and for five years lived as a closeted teacher, but am now making a new life for myself as an oral historian in New England. I think my life will work out the way it was always meant to be. That doesn't mean there won't be ups and downs; that's all part of life. It means I just have to be patient. I feel like October 7, 2015 is my new birthday. It's a beginning filled with great hope. It's a second chance to live my life…not anyone else's.
My profile picture is "David and Me," 2001 painting by artist Steve Walker. It happens to be one of my favorite modern gay art pieces.
View all posts by Joe
This entry was posted on Monday, July 4th, 2022 at 6:00 pm and posted in Pic of the Day. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Joe
The Closet Professor 
July 5th, 2022 at 3:05 am
Very poetical (pictures, of corse!!)