My seventy-second summer,
and once again it is July;
so many blue-sky mornings, now,
have I
awakened, with gratitude,
to the smell of earth
blessed by the sun,
the day already perfect,
just begun.
All my life, sky and clouds
have led me forth,
and kept me Looking Up.
All my life,
the beauty of All That Is
has filled my little cup.
One more summer
am I blessed with:
wave-top, skybird,
wind in the trees,
Sister Raven croaking hello
as she flies past
on the breeze.
One more summer
do I have
do I have
to hold the beauty fast,
slow down all the clocks,
and make it last.
for the Poetry Pantry at Poets United. Come join us on Sunday morning! It's a hoot!
Oh yes! I sometimes think that, no matter what circumstances may be going on in one's life, so long as we have this beautiful world to live in, how not to be happy? (Even if only momentarily.) An absolutely lovely poem, Sherry, and the photo also makes the point perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI understand this very well. We have to appreciate each summer we are given. Each summer is a gift. So much beauty. No matter how old a person is, I think, one must savor EACH summer as one doesn't know how many more there will be.
ReplyDeleteYes, Sherry it will last a "life time," moment by moment. xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeletesubtle and sublime - a song of songs - of the spirited soul and generous heart ...
ReplyDeletesky and clouds
ReplyDeletehave led me forth,
and kept me Looking Up.. love the way you've written this!
"All my life, sky and clouds have led me forth, and kept me Looking Up. All my life,
ReplyDeletethe beauty of All That Is has filled my little cup"... this is so beautiful! Love this, Sherry!💞
Your poem has reminded me to be thankful for those 'blue-sky mornings', Sherry. I'm ten years behind you and I agree wholeheartedly with the lines:
ReplyDelete'All my life, sky and clouds
have led me forth,
and kept me Looking Up'
and I love the lines:
'wave-top, skybird,
wind in the trees,
Sister Raven croaking hello
as she flies past
on the breeze'.
I love your words Sherry of all that is summer, in nature and in our lives.
ReplyDeleteCome early August, this will be my sixty-sixth summer and there are but a few things I would change in my life, if I had the power. But would I? For might not change alter everything and I might not see appreciate the wonder of life, of summer, as you so wisely do.
Anna :o]
What a delightful poem Sherry from one enjoying his 82nd winter! I still see so much beauty around me being woken up each morning by scores of squabbling birds insisting they get the best place in the Gum
ReplyDeletetrees for breakfast as the trees take it in turns to flower all year through!
82 years of beauty! How wonderful, Robin!
DeleteIt's a blessing, indeed to appreciate all the moments of your life. A lovely write!
ReplyDeletea wonderful write and happy birthday
ReplyDeleteabsolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeletewe are thankful for those "blue-sky mornings".
Yes to want to make it last is the human side of enjoyment. Good Sunday Sherry
ReplyDeleteMuch💐love
Your words always depict this love for nature and it makes it beautiful to realize the essential human condition of being one with the trees and the clouds and the seasons. It is a new summer for you to make it last, like you do in your verse.
ReplyDelete-HA
NYC is rainy, windy, and cloudy today. But I'm all grins... Like you, I am grateful for what the chance to craft more memories, for being allowed to witness Nature's wonder a bit longer (I had my coffee watching an enormous bumblebee not being able to choose between passion flowers and lavender sprigs, so she just flew back and forth for a while). Beauty everywhere "to hold... fast/to make it last", to share.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing yours, my sweet Sherry.
I love the bumble bee's dilemma....which to choose? Lol. So many flowers, so little time!
ReplyDeleteBlue sky mornings always make my heart do a little dance too. There's so much joy and peace in this poem.
ReplyDeleteMakes me feel grateful. Things are "looking up!"
ReplyDeleteHappy seventy second summer to you Sherry - I think I forgot briefly that you share a birthday with Dad, which makes another reason why you are very special to me - we are all lucky to have you sharing summers with us. love from across the pond xxx
ReplyDeleteAlways a pleasure to read your poetry, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteAlways grateful for a reminder to enjoy the summer despite the heat. And this was a beautiful evocation of it.
ReplyDeleteA beautifully written piece, rendered with a lovely eloquence that fosters a contemplative linger and summons forth spiritual gratitude. A thoughtful and thought provoking poem, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteto hold the beauty fast,
ReplyDeleteslow down all the clocks,
and make it last
Savor the delights of life in a leisurely pace. Yes, Sherry, make it last. Happy 72nd and more to come!
Hank
Sweetness and gratitude make one fine feast! I hope it is "one more summer" of many, though I know we must each seize the day we are in and cherish it. I can see you holding the cup with delight. So much love! (Writing from Coxsackie NY, 220 miles from home.)
ReplyDeleteMay your skies be blue
ReplyDeleteMay your dreams come true
Happy Birthday to you
Yes, yes! My wish as well. It’s funny how we appreciate the world so much more as we grow older.
ReplyDeleteSuch a blessed summer to you Sherry ~ Happy birthday to you ~ Cheers ~
ReplyDeleteYes, THIS summer, THIS day, THIS birdsong...and this fine celebration of aging and the uncertainties is brings. But we won't dwell on the uncertainties, will we? Instead, we will rejoice in the here and now.
ReplyDelete