Wednesday, October 2, 2013

GRATITUDE






I heard a sad story today about someone I once knew.
It would give Job a little comfort,
if it's true that misery loves company.
Except this is about real life and those who live it
find no comfort in Job.


For a while I pondered if I could live such a life.
One disaster after another, no respite, no hope
because death only writes tragic scripts
about the end of drama.

Then I became embarrassed, almost ashamed.
Embarrassed because I was glad.
The way I'm glad when the menace of loud sirens
indicating someone has been hurt, turns out to be
someone else's someone, not someone belonging to me.

I was embarrassed that sometimes I'm shaded
by my humanity, that I can't open the window
of compassion enough to see
everyone's suffering as me.

I was glad my story's simpler, easier.
My perceived suffering almost a mockery
compared to those whose lives pulse
to the beat of agony,
who refuse pity, because it helps
not at all.

At that moment, helpless to do more,
I made a wish and a decision, took a breath,
exhaled, "Thank you."
Then I washed the dishes.

(Submitted to Dverse Poets.)






17 comments:

  1. What a relevant message this is, Myrna. We really do need to keep gratitude in the forefront of our mind always!

    ReplyDelete
  2. wow myrna.. i love this...this has such a rap beat...wonderful rhythm and internal rhymes... and moving topic as well... a new fav...

    ReplyDelete
  3. there is def nothing wrong with gratitude that you and those you loved were spared....it is a shame it happens to another...and maybe that gratitude does make us feel a bit guilty at time (i have felt that)...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lovely message dear ~ We can feel overwhelmed by our burden but then again looking out and seeing what we have compared to what others have to bear, we are really bless ~ I am with you in washing the dishes ~

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh Myrna, you are truly a sister. I so know exactly what you mean.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What insightful thoughts here, Myrna. Many times we complain and become listless about various things and gratitude is the balm that soothes our restlessness. An attitude of gratitude is all that it takes.

    Joy always,
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gorgeous post. And I have been there - too often.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love the reality of these thoughts for I've experienced them myself.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very nice write and sounds like a glorious life?

    ReplyDelete
  10. I too love the building of reality as you drift in and out, while the edges of life linger~
    I could relate to your verse

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanκs for some other magnificent poѕt. Wheгe
    else mаy just anybody get that κinԁ of information in
    such an ideal method of writing? I've a presentation nеxt weеk, and
    I аm at the lοok for such information.

    my web-site ... texas ωhitеtail deеr hunting
    гanch ()

    ReplyDelete
  12. Right here is the perfect site for anybody who really wants to find out about this topic.
    You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa).

    You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic which has been discussed for
    years. Great stuff, just great!

    My website ... gas log fire company

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a beauty of a poem. It's simple and yet so true. I loved it. Many thanks.

    Greetings from London.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Deep thoughts so well captured. This really resonates with me this week.

    ReplyDelete
  15. That ending, that ending. A million thanks. Sometimes you're carried away by a poem only for it to fail at the end. Yours was magnificent from beginning to end. Many thanks.

    Greetings from London.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I often feel this way. Thanks for saying it.

    ReplyDelete