how do we give back for so much beauty?
sight, and laughter, and love and dreams,
rushing river, burbling streams,
the miracle and mystery,
the beauty and the blight,
the chance to keep trying
to get it right.
give back for it all.
give thanks without ceasing.
even for the unwanted passage
that turns out to be the very portal
your soul has been seeking.
Oracle Owl calls from the forest deep:
don't go back to sleep, don't go back to sleep.
Thinking about gratitude a lot these days, and just how rich is the banquet spread before us, with all of its beauty, and so many choices. Last night I read this quote by Rabindranath Tagore, which sums it up nicely:
I slept and dreamt that life was joy.
I woke and saw that life was service.
I acted and behold, service was joy.
Sherry, what you've written is a beautiful prayer. Nothing can be more soothing to the soul than gratitude. I thank you.
ReplyDeletegratitude truly a great word...and concept to be embraced!
ReplyDeleteYou are so good in expressing the reasons one should have an attitude of gratitude. There is just SO much to be grateful for, isn't there?
ReplyDeleteYes, IN ALL THINGS give thanks without ceasing! :)
ReplyDelete"don't go back to sleep" - so true!
how can we not be grateful? beautiful Sherry, absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteVisiting again, Sherry. You know, I do think you are right. Service is a joy. I always feel good when I do something for someone. Giving back IS what life is all about! Thank you for this message, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful poem, Sherry! You make it sound obvious we have so many reasons to be grateful for. The photo is stunning! Is this anywhere near you?
ReplyDeletean attitude of gratitude...one where we are truly grateful, is a beautiful thing...we have so much, even when we have so little....
ReplyDeleteA wise lesson to learn.
ReplyDeletebeautiful, i felt it, and we should all ask ourselves that question every day.
ReplyDeletethe soon we realize it the better...giving has so much life in it....this reads like a heartfelt prayer
ReplyDelete.....very peaceful and uplifting..
That is a very clever quotation. We need to take that on board.
ReplyDeleteI like your gratitude poem, we need reminding of that as well.
Withe the 'blight' and the 'right' you might add the 'light', which is amazing in that picture.
Yes Tagore says it all. Life is a fulfillment of service to mankind which satisfies one's personal yearnings at the same time! Wonderful write Sherry!
ReplyDeleteHank
I can't help but think your were outside when writing this... the owl line had me thinking about the loss of ducks the past winter... Lake Michigan froze over... ducks who did not migrate died in the thousands, maybe more... sad
ReplyDeleteThis is a powerful reminder of where we need to look for things of true values. And thanks for the Tagore quote.
ReplyDeleteYour poetic gift opens gratitude to me, precisely, placing it in clear gifts as well as those unwelcome portals. Thank you for the voice of the owl.
ReplyDeleteLess worry when we appreciate the pleasures we have to enjoy. So much if we only take the time to see it.
ReplyDeletebeautiful!
ReplyDeleteZQ
In everything, give thanks. We are rich in everything we 'need' in life if only we know to look around without the thought of 'wants'. Today, unfortunately, 'wants' are desired more than what we only 'need'. Your poem was ever lovely to read again & again. Thanks for the poem. Smiles.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that this Sunday, many of the pieces that I am reading are what I need to hear today--yours included--smiles to you!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful message to read this Palm Sunday ~ Have a joyful week ~
ReplyDeleteSo lovely - gratitude is so important.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful message to read this Palm Sunday ~ Have a joyful week ~
ReplyDeleteLovely! Gratitude is very important.
ReplyDeleteGosh I just love the way this poem is bracketed - it seems to mirror the cycle of life itself in a way that is both joyful and calm and comforting. :)
ReplyDeleteTagore was so inspired. Your words run toward nature with open arms, Sherry
ReplyDeleteWhenever I come by dark times, i'll remember this poem of yours. It'll remind me of all what i have in life.
ReplyDeleteto not know the joy of giving
ReplyDeleteto not know the joy
of receiving with gratitude
is a great loss
possibly the greatest
you have missed out
on life and sadly
this is not a dress rehearsal
Lovely write Sherry..Gratitude is very important in life:)
ReplyDeleteO, gratitude for the choices...still it's so new for me...:)xx
ReplyDelete