John Watt Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

And I Am Grateful

A field of wheat cloaked in dewy silence
the orchestra tunes up with avian arias
bullfrog basses and a choir of cawing crows,
xanthic sunflowers turning their heads to better see,
the daylight trajectory commencing with lazuline layering,
a breeze glissandoes on harps of oak leaves
tomorrow is now today,
   and I am grateful.

An officer of the law taps on my door
my breath and heartbeat screech to a sudden stop
preparing for the next-of-kin speech, or
where-were-you-on-the-night-of-the-23rd interrogation,
instead she informs me my car is ten inches in the red
and with a smile suggests I move it before I get a citation
pulse resumes as oxygen reunites with lungs,
   and I am grateful.

A mask sitting by the front door; my ticket to commerce
the media replaying riot scenes, lockdown measures, 
sporting event cancellations, worship restrictions,
death tolls, closed restaurants, and drive-by graduations.
Yet I am virus-free, housed, gainfully employed,
surrounded by family and electronically socialized,
I have my necessities: I am well-fed, well-loved,
   and I am grateful.

written 30 Aug 2020

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Susan Ashley November 20, 2022 at 8:55 AM Dearest PoBro, your impressive and expressive pen bares the beauty, depth and breadth of your poet's soul. Your exquisite appreciation is delivered with textured imagery and emotions that resonate with the universe. Your golden pen is filled with an artistic finesse that is both potent yet delicate.. a finesse that is able to fill my heart with emotions without weighing it down, but rather to set it free to fly above the poetic page and beyond.. and for that, and for YOU.. I am grateful. John, your soulful introspection leaves me breathless and lingering with your verse. Congratulations for your excellent win in Mark's contest. I'm so honored to share the podium with you, my inspiring PoBro! Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich November 4, 2022 at 7:34 AM Excellent choice you made for his contest, John. Keep on using the ones I faved!! I hope they are bringing you luck. I did not fare well in the last two or three contests, but was so happy to win in the last one!! Big congrats, my friend

Gary Radice November 3, 2022 at 1:46 PM It's so easy to take things for granted; to take life for granted and I'm in agreement with comments you made further down the page John: "The longer I live, the less I take each day, each moment for granted." This poem sums those comments up perfectly. Congratulations on your deserved win. Cheers - Gary

Mark Toney November 2, 2022 at 1:15 PM John, you beautifully describe everyday experiences that we've all been exposed to - God's creation, unexpected confrontations, and what was pretty much our pandemic-dictated routine for the last two-plus years. Regardless of what we may experience, there are so many reasons to be grateful. A Fav poem for me. Congratulations on your win on Mile 18 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on because Mile 19 has already started. John Watt November 3, 2022 at 6:19 PM Mark, I'm honored by your esteem and fav for this poem, and grateful for your generous placement and kind comment. Looking forward to reading your winners ~ John

Jeanne Mcgee October 5, 2020 at 6:52 AM Your poem radiates of truth and gratitude for things big and small...congrats on your placement. Jeanne :D John Watt October 5, 2020 at 11:56 AM Thank you Jeanne for the read and kind words.

Francine Roberts October 4, 2020 at 7:46 PM congrats John on your 9th place win in my contest and thank you for entering John Watt October 5, 2020 at 11:40 AM Thank you for the contest and lovely placement, Francine! Looking forward to your next contest ~ John

Robert Lindley September 4, 2020 at 7:29 AM The realization to be grateful is indeed a gift in and of itself my friend. Life is a gift , a blessing from God. Light , Love, Salvation, Faith, Truth and Promise are all gifts/blessings from the Holy Trinity. Wonderful poetry. A fav-- God bless... John Watt September 4, 2020 at 12:12 PM Yes, life is a gift and blessing from God. The longer I live, the less I take each day, each moment for granted. There is so much to be grateful for. "All good gifts come down from the Father of the heavenly lights". Thank you Robert for your fave and generous words.

Reneice Mowatt September 2, 2020 at 3:16 PM What a powerful testimony! We have SO much to be grateful for John. I hope your entry will be successful in the competition. Continue to be safe. Love and blessings. Ren. John Watt September 2, 2020 at 4:24 PM Thank you for your kind review and wishes, Ren. God bless your day ~ John

Laura Leiser September 2, 2020 at 8:48 AM Your first stanza is superb, John. It’s descriptive quality and creative use of words that I don’t see very often is well written! Your examples of being grateful resonate with many of us, and I am also grateful for these things. You should do well in the contest. God bless! :) John Watt September 2, 2020 at 10:20 AM Thank you for the blessing of your careful read, Laura. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated, especially from a poetess I so admire. How I miss our writer's group! Blessings ~ John

Anne-Lise Andresen September 2, 2020 at 7:43 AM - We have so much to be grateful for ... today I have read your poem ... and I am grateful for this lovely poem ... and the sun is shining on my window ... have a happy day, John :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) John Watt September 2, 2020 at 10:39 AM I am grateful for such a nice comment today, Anne-Lise. I can see you are a person who is grateful for many things in life. Enjoy your day, my friend.

Brandy Nicole September 1, 2020 at 8:56 PM This last stanza holds my heart, even more than the others. They all tug at me in some way. Still, this ending is moving and tender. Yes, "I am grateful" too. Thankful and blessed. You have created a masterpiece here my dear friend. This should be printed and famed. I wish to place it in my favorites. It belongs there. I am also blessed to be here with you, through words. You are appreciated. :) Hugs, Brandy John Watt September 1, 2020 at 11:24 PM Your words and thoughts are blessings, Brandy. It touches me that you would honor this with a fave and want to see it framed. Gratitude is so important to me. A virtue I am still learning. Grateful for your encouragement, my sweet friend.

Andrea Dietrich September 1, 2020 at 3:53 PM you encapsuled (is that the word?) So many GREAT things: nature, being lucky and ALL THE OTHER GOOD STUFF. LOVe this . A FAVE John Watt September 1, 2020 at 11:21 PM Somehow I left out the word 'teacher'. If an English teacher uses a word... makes a bit of a difference doesn't it? haha John Watt September 1, 2020 at 5:10 PM If an English uses a word, then it's a word. Isn't that how it's supposed to work? Thank you deeply for the fave and really sweet comment, Andrea!

Judy Ball September 1, 2020 at 10:10 AM Oh Me Too, Me Too, Me Too! Great job here John. Love it and a winner for sure. Good Luck in the contest. God Bless, JB John Watt September 1, 2020 at 10:23 AM Thank you Judy for the effusive, resonating support! God bless your day ~ John

Michelle Faulkner August 31, 2020 at 2:53 PM So much beauty in this, especially love the orchestra of bullfrogs and crows - and 'tomorrow is now today' - I am grateful for the opportunity to read your fine poetry, my friend! John Watt August 31, 2020 at 4:44 PM Glad you enjoyed the morning chorus, Michelle. You are as generous with a comment as you are talented with a poem.

Jennifer Proxenos August 31, 2020 at 12:14 PM What else would one need in life - if we have all theses necessities, we are blessed - so beautifully penned John my friend. Hugs, Jennifer. John Watt August 31, 2020 at 4:37 PM Always glad we see things so compatibly, Jenny. Thank you for your gracious comments today, dear friend.

Ilene Bauer August 31, 2020 at 10:47 AM john - you have reminded me (and us all) that there are always reasons to be grateful despite everything that's going on. your first verse is poetically magnificent but your last verse says it all... John Watt August 31, 2020 at 1:25 PM Ah, your comment makes me feel even more grateful. This 'electronic socialization' has helped many of us get through this. Appreciate your poetry friendship, ilene.

Panagiota Romios August 31, 2020 at 7:39 AM Hi John, How beatifuuly your soul just shines through this verse. Panagiota John Watt August 31, 2020 at 11:12 AM Endearing words from a wonderful encourager. So grateful for you, Pangie!

Tom Cunningham August 31, 2020 at 3:31 AM Love your verse John, there is so much in our lives that we should be grateful for. We should never take anything for granted. Tom John Watt August 31, 2020 at 11:12 AM Amen, Tom. I always appreciate your wisdom and positive outlook.