Open Poetry #34 |
...and I am thankful |
Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
...and I am thankful ...for peace and for pinwheels, for prayer wheels and bicycles, for nights we think are cold though they’re really not, and fall days with warm promises in the hearts of them, ...for flowers like dandelions that we simply can’t keep from blooming, and for people like them who simply won’t let us extinguish their smiles even with our nastiest tools, ...for friends who last the years and for years that are kind enough not to outlast all friendships, for friendship itself, which can be more complex than love and in some ways more rewarding; and for the sense to hold on to such a basic part of life that so easily slips away, ...that even in a desert paradise there are seasons, and flowers that know when to open, leaves that go gold when it would be so easy to stay green until the spring, ...for sand among other things, and all it means: blessing and grinding powder, bright, forgiving, softly symbolic endgame of mountains, that we play on, make glass and time and even skyscrapers from because cement won’t work without it, that gentles any shore and brings happiness to everyone on it, ...for life, and yes, for living, for the souls we know so little about though they seem so very important when we don’t forget them entirely because they are so hard to feel, ...that there is such a thing as poetry even though, like the soul, we can’t ever define it adequately despite its being so very important when we don’t entirely forget, ...for music, poetry’s sister, and the way it speaks to us more clearly sometimes than words, though we can’t truly express the full meaning of what it told, that is, without singing, ...that even though it’s so very rare there are still times when – even once upon a lifetime – there is a resonant spirit, someone who can share what we are at the core, because they are made of the same substance and we had the luck or blessing to find them, ...for families, especially the ones we have made with such spirits, who share and care and overcome with us, who drag us back yelling from whatever brink we’re on today, and who will be there to do the same for even longer than we live, ...for words, and for there being more good in this world and the people in it than all my words can say, ...and I am thankful.... |
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© Copyright 2004 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved | |||
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ed One of your best...and a beautiful Thanksgiving poem! Have a happy Thanksgiving, my friend! |
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Dautz Write Member
since 2004-11-16
Posts 96 |
Good to read you again, RatL. Yes, I'm thankful for these things and good friends, too. Thank you for posting. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. Dautz Write |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
precious! |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
When someone gives the consistent excellence you do, it's tough to choose the very best for every one is a treasure... But this... Yes... This is what Thanksgiving is all about... it's what poetry is all about... and if I were thrust into a situation where I could only have one piece of literature, I would have to choose this... for your words would remind me of all the others and they'd still live within my heart. You've shown your heart with this beautiful poem, my friend... and it's as good as good can be... and I am thankful. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
...that there is such a thing as poetry even though, like the soul, we can’t ever define it adequately despite its being so very important when we don’t entirely forget, ...for music, poetry’s sister, and the way it speaks to us more clearly sometimes than words, though we can’t truly express the full meaning of what it told, that is, without singing, ...that even though it’s so very rare there are still times when – even once upon a lifetime – there is a resonant spirit, someone who can share what we are at the core, because they are made of the same substance and we had the luck or blessing to find them, ~*~ And this just made my Thanksgiving replete with gratitude! |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
nice read |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
This has got to be the best Thanksgiving poem I have ever read!!! Into my library with this treasure. May you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Forgot to check the library box. |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
A beautiful prayer of thanks, that must be ended by Amen... I was feeling depressed today, but this poem has lifted my spirits... Giving thanks to you for it, Ed I needed it greatly.. ___________ice/ford ><> Come read to me some poem, |
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Dr.Moose1 Member Elite
since 1999-09-05
Posts 3448Bewilderment , USA |
Ed, You said it best. A toast to you and everything you hold close. Doc |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
I am most pleased that you shared this sagacious piece of poetry with us. Well done Ed. Happy T Day to ya!! |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Happy Thanksgiving Ed, and thanks to you I am going to be buying myself another "Gratitude Journal" as for some reason I stopped that, and never should have. I loved this and I think today, you may just have changed one person's life yourself sir in reading the comments before me. The very best to you. |
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