A Litany of Thanksgiving

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I wrote this poem shortly after my brother's funeral. He suffered from depression and other mental illness most of his adult life. Yet he practiced gratitude in ways unknown by many of us. I tried to entwine many of his favorite sayings within the body of the poem, "Rich worked hard.". I had no idea how much I would miss his silent courage in the face of debilitating illness. It caused me to redefine success as Not being how much you accomplish but who you are.

The highway bridges Remnants of conversation Clothed in ethereal blue. Variform clouds Stark white or gray Bandage my heart. Brother’s litany Of thanksgiving Floats above my head. Mom and dad were Good parents. They worked hard. Cemetery gates swallow us Sleek and black Like a raven Plucking its prey. Attendees’ musings are Wetness on the Road’s cheeks Tactile as a Cat’s tongue Freshening the spirit Words of gratitude Misty as memory’s yesterday Rich worked hard He did very well for himself. Puzzle pieces fit tightly Brothers’ faces, Sister’s words Cathartic like a cloak’s Feathery embraces. Drops of rain Shower blessings Prayers of thanksgiving From another time Diane is a beautiful girl. Bill is smart. How is Maureen? Is he still here? Yes. How do I know? Sunshine branching Apple twigs glimmering Meanwhile traffic Normal as a busy Day’s waking and sleeping The wrought iron gates open Spilling family out Like white markers with Blank dates

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John Fleming

Date: 5/11/2017 9:18:00 AM

If a departed Soul is sometimes fondly recalled, albeit fleetingly, when on occasion a body pauses for just the briefest of moments throughout the hectic day...Then that is all a soul could wish for from this turbulent world of ours...Beautifully penned! My very warmest regards, Kathleen...And my very best wishes. Your friend :) john

Kathleen Kroll
Date: 5/11/2017 9:36:00 AM

Thanks, John! My brother had a difficult life. He suffered from depression and occasional bouts of schizophrenia. Admittedly there were wells of anger. Yet he always found things to be grateful for. And he had the courage to undergo treatments that could be painful. He is a lesson in respecting a person for who he is and not what he does. I hope just a little of that comes through here. I'm thinking of rewriting and expanding (though it could lose some of the flavor of the original).

Kathleen Kroll

Date: 5/26/2016 10:19:00 AM

Thanks so much, Becca! Appreciate your visit! Kathy

Becca Teagan

Date: 5/26/2016 10:10:00 AM

hmmmm this flows really nicely and really makes the reader think... I love that final stanza. Enjoyed reading this today.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/21/2016 5:45:00 PM

Such an interesting way to characterize a day such as this one. All the chit chat that goes on and then they spill out the gates like white markers with blank dates What an awesome final line!!

Jonathan J.

Date: 5/21/2016 9:33:00 AM

Strong words, great flow. Well written, Mrs. Kroll.