Be Grateful, My Dear

Give thanks if you're healthy
  And give thanks if you're not;
Make sure to appreciate
  Whatever it is that you've got.
Just be grateful, my dear, 
  Give thanks with good cheer.

Give thanks if you're single,
  Give thanks if you're married;
Doesn't matter at all
  If you're happy or harried.
Just be grateful, my dear,
  Give thanks with good cheer.

Give thanks for jobs you've had,
  And for ones that you've lost;
For the roof o'er your head,
  And your warm, cozy bed.
Just be grateful, my dear,
  Give thanks with good cheer

Give thanks for your wardrobe,
  For the clothes in your drawer;
For the shoes on your feet
  And those in the store.
Give thanks for the cop
  Who tickets your car,
Or prevents you from drinking
  Too much at the bar.
Just be grateful, my dear,
  And give thanks with good cheer.

Give thanks to G-d
  Who put you on Earth,
Who blessed you and your mother
  With the miracle called birth.
Who awakens you in the morning
  And lays you to sleep at night;
Who believes all through the airyness,
  That you'll soon see His Light.
Yes: Just be grateful, my dear,
  Now that Thanksgiving is here. 



               December 28, 2017
    Your first poem on Poetry Soup Contest
               Sponsor: Silent One
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Legros Kelley Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 11:44 PM
This is a fantastic poem Gershon! I can see you were already quite the poet when you posted your first PoetrySoup poem, I love it! Honestly, it sounds so much like the words of my husband, he always says things like this, I read it to him, he nodded smiling his approval and said it was a very good poem, especially for a first posted. I am faving this!
Brown Avatar
October 28, 2021 at 6:32 PM
Hi! Gershon, I'm looking around in your file cabinet (LoL). I found your very first poem. This poem should be on a plaque hanging on a wall, theses words need to be read everyday. Congratulations! A well deserve win. I'm putting this in my favorites.... Debbie
Wolf Avatar
October 28, 2021 at 7:11 PM
Very, very nice of you Debbie. Exceptionally so. I am thankful to you! Cheers, Gershon
Kingston Avatar
October 18, 2021 at 7:06 PM
I think I will put this poem in a journal of mine. I need to remind myself that somebody always has it worse. Learned this chant or rhyme a long time ago, "Put some gratitude in your attitude" I liked this poem, glad 2 have found it.
Wolf Avatar
October 18, 2021 at 7:15 PM
Absolutely amazing to me that you went all the way back to the very first poem I posted on the Soup! Thank you so much, Marikate --- and for sharing your feelings and intentions about its content with me. ~ Gratefully, Gershon
Rodrigues Avatar
March 26, 2021 at 5:10 AM
Indeed there is so much to be thankful for! Your love for God shines in your first poem here on the Soup.
Wolf Avatar
October 18, 2021 at 7:17 PM
Here's my reply, only about 7 months belatedly: It takes a Kim Rodrigues to catch my love of G-d in this one, I think. Much appreciated. ~ Gershon
Goldsmith Avatar
August 25, 2020 at 9:59 AM
Congratulations on your win. A wonderful write/poem. The key is to always, "Give Thanks." I give thanks for your poems. Enjoy your win and day.................
Wolf Avatar
August 25, 2020 at 2:27 PM
Thank you so much for noticing this poem, Paula. Happy Tuesday, Gershon
Gauthier Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 12:08 PM
Bravo ~ what an awesome first posting, Gershon. Congrats to you on your three-year anniversary with PoetrySoup ~
Wolf Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 2:06 PM
Thank you so much, Line! And I'll never ever forget how grateful I was when you commented on every single poem I posted on the Soup for a good month or so -- all on one day. It gave me such a lift you can't imagine!... And congrats to you too on the selection of your first poem as a winner in the contest! Poetry and Peace, Gershon
Faulkner Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 9:18 AM
So glad for the opportunity to read your first poem here, gw, and you haven't changed a bit! (and I mean that in a good way) I am so glad we became friends on this site :)
Wolf Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 1:59 PM
Well, I'm a bit older, a little heavier, and more sluggish for starters. lol. I am glad for our friendship too!... And congratulations to you on the selection of your first write, 'Graduation,' as a winner in the contest! Friendship Forever, Gershon
May Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 8:31 AM
WOW! GW this is your first poem on soup? Why haven't you gotten any better, lol Love ya!!
Wolf Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 11:18 AM
You know what, my friend? You may have made your 'Why haven't you gotten any better comment tongue-in-cheek, but re-reading this poem, I'd say it is a valid question. I really have not gotten any better!! 2.5 years down the drain, poetry-wise, I guess. Oh, well... At least I wasn't out there robbing banks, as my mother would have said. lol. Thanks, Bobby!! ~ Gershon
Horsman Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 7:23 AM
Brilliant poetry, great contest.
Wolf Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 7:39 AM
Thank you so much, Harry. Sure enjoyed your first posting, 'way back' ten years ago. Congrats on your win as well. Great contest for sure! :) Gershon
Andresen Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 3:49 AM
- Congratulations on your win, Gershon ... I remember how exciting it was to post my first poem :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Wolf Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 7:08 AM
Yes, Anne-Lise! It was, indeed, so exciting to post that first poem, and the feedback was the icing on the cake. Thanks for bringing back such a great memory! Light and Luminescence! ~ Gershon
One Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 3:46 AM
I remember this one and I was the first one to comment also... A great introduction to the soup.. This was not really a contest, it was an opportunity to showcase your first poem and I am glad you entered. Thank you.
Wolf Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 7:07 AM
Yes, indeed! I too remember that you remember AND that you were the first to comment. I was so excited that you wrote a positive comment, as I had absolutely no idea what to expect. None. You really encouraged me, Silent, and continue to do so. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Blessings and Bliss, Gershon
Rodrigues Avatar
May 14, 2019 at 8:55 PM
This is such a lovely first entry to PS!
Wolf Avatar
May 14, 2019 at 10:12 PM
I am always amazed when someone is so kind, as you have now been, to comment on something so old, lost in the mists of antiquity, so to speak. Smiles, gw
Awtry Avatar
December 20, 2018 at 10:52 PM
I enjoyed the flow of this poem and the message even more! Gratitude is the key to happiness. :)
Wolf Avatar
December 21, 2018 at 1:20 PM
Much appreciated...especially since you went all the way back to almost a year ago to dig this one up. Happy Holidays! ~ Gershon
May Avatar
November 30, 2018 at 12:57 PM
I am thankful to you Gershon for writing this poem! I truly liked it!
Wolf Avatar
November 30, 2018 at 1:15 PM
I am so impressed that you went all the way back to the start of my list to find this one, Bobby---and also so grateful to you for the lift your kind words have given me. Many thanks! ~ Gershon
Duncan Avatar
November 16, 2018 at 1:56 PM
I love this. I give thanks most everyday. That I'm not sleeping on the streets everytime I see a homeless person. Or someone in wheelchair, as I send my affermations/ prayer to the spiritual world. :)
Wolf Avatar
November 16, 2018 at 2:05 PM
Wow! I'm impressed, Debbie. You went all the way back to December of last year to dig this one out... And thank you for the awesome, uplifting observation! Best wishes, Gershon
Lamoureux Avatar
July 4, 2018 at 5:56 PM
I thought why not start with the first poem. I am not disappointed. It is infused with wisdom.
Wolf Avatar
July 4, 2018 at 7:42 PM
Thank you for your kind words, Richard. Best wishes, my friend. ~ Gershon
Deo Avatar
June 27, 2018 at 9:32 PM
Wow Gershon ... with a sense of sacred awe. This is such an open secret: gratitude will bring all the blessings Jesus promised. U made it so easy by listing how we might sing to G-D (YHVH: Tetragrammaton, mosy observant Jews of a certain persuasion say we are not worthy to utter LORD's Name). Jesus made us righteous as only G-D can. Maureen and I discovered this poem some 5-6 months after U posted. Big thank U & 4Your Visit. shalom, shalom in Yeshua
Wolf Avatar
June 27, 2018 at 10:16 PM
You've overwhelmed me, Anil, with your sacred and sacramental comment! (And wouldn't you know it? I live on 'Sacramento' Avenue. …) Best wishes, gw
Pigeon Tart Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 11:18 AM
Wonderful first post my friend! Grateful and thankful I am :) xomo!
Wolf Avatar
April 13, 2018 at 12:16 PM
Wow. I'm impressed, Maureen. You went all the way back to my very first post to comment! Humbling for me. Thanks a million, and then some! :) gw
Krutsinger Avatar
February 28, 2018 at 12:21 PM
"Be thankful for the cop who tickets your car." That made me laugh aloud. Thanks.
Wolf Avatar
February 28, 2018 at 9:41 PM
Laughter is the best medicine---even when you're not sick! Thanks for checking out my very first poem on Poetry Soup! :) gw
De Beaulieu Avatar
January 28, 2018 at 3:06 PM
Well hello Gershon, this poem is aaw-some, welcome to Poetry soup.I like this poem... this will be my favourite. Have a nice evening my friend.
De Beaulieu Avatar
April 10, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Hello Gershon, you are very welcome. Enjoy your evening my friend. /Darlene/
Wolf Avatar
February 17, 2018 at 8:50 PM
Thank you for your kind words, Darlene! Warm winter wishes, gw
Ashley Avatar
January 24, 2018 at 9:08 PM
An uplifting and inspiring write Gershon full of appreciation and love. A gentle and positive reminder to keep gratitude in our hearts. Beautifully expressed and a great first write here at PS! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Ashley Avatar
January 24, 2018 at 9:17 PM
Yes, Amen my friend..
Wolf Avatar
January 24, 2018 at 9:13 PM
Thank you for your kind words. I am grateful to you for your appreciation. May our lives be filled with gratitude, caring and love. Best wishes ~ Gershon
Telemacque Avatar
January 9, 2018 at 3:47 PM
Been a while since I've read a great peom.. Thumbs up to you .. Blessed we are indeed. We should always Give thanks
Wolf Avatar
January 9, 2018 at 8:26 PM
Thank you so much for your kind words! ---gw
One Avatar
December 29, 2017 at 2:12 PM
A positive first post that is very well written Gershon, I see you are an accomplished poet.. Welcome to poetry soup...
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