Monday, November 25, 2013

"Gratitude and Thankfulness"

My niece's artwork
Gratitude and Thankfulness

Gnarled fingers accept each season,
Reach toward the sky
Asking no more
Than to be.
I have always admired
The strength of trees, their
Undisputed ability to bend, sway,
Displaying a wisdom we humans should
Embrace, not clearcut -

A spirit thats
Nectar is mother earth.
Do we ever

Think to pause from our rat race,
Hesitate for a moment
And give thanks for the day?
Not likely; prayers are often saved for Sundays, holidays,
Knowing flowery words will impress
Friends, family.  Peace, though, starts with
Us being thankful for what we have,
Leaving desires, wants - to rest.  Focusing on what we
Need.  It starts now.  Not tomorrow.  If
Everyone were like a tree, we would
Simply be silent.  Learn to listen.
Simply embrace the light.  Be satisfied.

by Margaret Bednar, November 25, 2013


This is for Laura's "Gratitude Quilt", asking us to write - unedited and letting the words flow - what we are grateful for in this moment?  The above acrostic poem is my response.  I am trying to learn to be thankful for NOW.  Today.  Trying to have an inner joy at all times.  To be satisfied with what I have, not desiring more, more, more.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Americans - and wishing everyone else peace and joy for today.

I am also linking this with "I Heart Macro - Week 28" and "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads Open Link Monday".



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19 comments:

  1. revelationsNovember 25, 2013 at 10:48 AM

    a wonderful poetic life lesson...

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  2. hedgewitchNovember 25, 2013 at 10:58 AM

    Trees are an excellent role model, Margaret, and you show us why here. Gratitude is not something we value enough--like the saying goes, virtue is its own reward--if you want to experience peace you must live it.

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  3. SusanNovember 25, 2013 at 11:31 AM

    Beautifully expressed with the best analogy ever. You had me from "gnarled fingers." And the photos! Your family has the artist's eye gene. (Check where/were?)

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  4. Kathryn DycheNovember 25, 2013 at 11:46 AM

    I see trees as a strong source of strength and silence, love your exploration here especially the gnarled fingers.

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  5. MarianNovember 25, 2013 at 11:54 AM

    nice! i didn't recognize it as an acrostic... which is good, it isn't forced at all, just grateful and flowing.

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  6. kaykualaNovember 25, 2013 at 12:14 PM

    Grateful and Thankfulness! Gosh didn't see it initially. Clever way of knitting it around the big trees. Great write Marge!

    Hank

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  7. Kerry O'ConnorNovember 25, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    There is so much truth in these lines, Margaret. We should be grateful for the simple beauty in every day living.

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  8. Sherry Blue SkyNovember 25, 2013 at 2:28 PM

    I love the message in this poem, and in the words made by the first letter in each line. Gratitude is so important. I have so often thought about the qualities of a tree - just being. Loved this poem, Margaret.

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  9. AnonymousNovember 25, 2013 at 3:29 PM

    Wonderful! I love the sentiment, and I didn't even notice it was an acrostic until you told me. That's they way they should be, natural rather than forced.

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  10. LauraNovember 25, 2013 at 3:39 PM

    Again Margaret, this is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing it as part of the gratitude quilt.

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  11. Susie ClevengerNovember 25, 2013 at 4:32 PM

    Such a beautiful poem Margaret..I so wish I could be more like the trees.

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  12. betty-NZNovember 25, 2013 at 7:18 PM

    Lovely verse and photo. We all certainly have a lot to be thankful for all year round!

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  13. FireblossomNovember 25, 2013 at 7:22 PM

    Nothing more to be said. Be here now, want what you have and have the grace to let go of the things not meant for you.

    Feel free to come read my latest love poem and tell me to just get over it! ;-)

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  14. Vandana SharmaNovember 25, 2013 at 11:17 PM

    The greatest lesson of all, to learn to listen

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  15. AnonymousNovember 26, 2013 at 12:02 AM

    why Margaret, channeling Sherry here! and your niece is talented ~

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  16. AditiNovember 26, 2013 at 1:27 AM

    Beautifully said...I loved the flow...such an imp message to live now, be grateful for each passing moment...loved you you have spelt out 'gratitude and thankfulness with the first letter of each sentence! Lovely!

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  17. SreejaNovember 26, 2013 at 10:04 AM

    Beautiful...last lines reverberates.

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  18. JimNovember 26, 2013 at 2:54 PM

    Very nice, Margaret ~~ would that we be as elegant, gracious, and expressing of our thanks as your tree. It reminded me some of my second most favorite poem while in elementary school:
    "I think that I shall never see
    A poem lovely as a tree.

    A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
    Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

    A tree that looks at God all day,
    And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
    ...     "
    My first favorite was 'Abou Ben Adhem.' [May his tribe increase.]
    ..

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  19. AnonymousNovember 27, 2013 at 8:02 PM

    I always pray but, doubtlessly we should adhere to the worshiping ways Nature exemplifies true obedience --by contentment ~ Gorgeous gospel truth! Faithfully Debbie

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