Best Gratitude Poems
Like a gazelle springing from left to right
Your prayers come winging through perilous night
Making swift haste to my ill beating heart.
I was amazed at how many took part,
So deeply moved, there are tears in my eyes.
Dark thunderous clouds have moved to clear skies.
My gratitude floods to poetry friends
I’m humbled by your love as my heart mends.
7-2-22
*Dedicated to my loving poetry friends
~10th Place Premiere Contest~
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 7 Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Mark Toney
A Last Poem for You, My Mate
If Death comes calling in colorful spring
I hope it will come in the month of May
When our garden is filled with fragrant blooms
That you have tended in your caring way.
Pansies and daisies with their sweet faces
Look up to agapanthus lofty height.
Each bloom as diverse as we are humans,
Each offers beauty to my love's delight.
Please don't come in summer when school is out,
Time with our grandchildren I cherish so.
I can't think of ruining their fun time
I'm pleading, in summer, don't make me go.
The times that we share at the pool or parks
Is precious to me as watching them grow.
They fill my heart with such laughter and joy
I feel their love too...I'm letting you know.
Oh Death, come in autumn, my favored time.
When green leaves turn scarlet, orange and gold.
My eyes feast on beauty of changing trees,
Grateful for my seasons of growing old.
Autumn transcends my soul's true endeavors
To leave with you poetic words, my mate.
My legacy...to our generations
As we must all accept Death as our fate.
In winter, a time of quiet and rest...
When reflections of past mirror our views
And we watch as our life spreads before us
If it’s time to leave, I wish I could choose.
However Death, should you come in winter,
When the Earth like my hair is bathed in white,
I'd embrace your visit in my winter
To dwell forever in God's divine light.
12-12-18
My Muse Mortal Poetry Contest~ Premiere Contest Third Place~
Sponsor Gregory Barden
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
Sacred Gratitude
Rockin and Rollin inside my soul
Beckoning musical notes float within me
My heart surrenders and opens
Expanding
When the world outside dances in tension
Feeling bleak and unforgiving
I am grateful to receive
Simple nuances of pure magic
Breathing into my being
Allowing a journey to the place
Between here and now
Standing in dense forest
I approach one of the gentle giants
Her redwood bark burned and blackened
Fires and history tattooing her skin
Fury red growth emerging
Her new coat of velvet delight
Limey baby branches
Make their way to the air
Thirsty for light
A deep hollow near her base
Where I can walk inside
Blackness..soft spongy bark
Touches my fingertips
A dreamy pause
Almost silent
An internal space
Quiet gratitude as I look up.. up..up
Hundreds of feet to a circle of light
Glimmering above
Sunlight trickles in
Kissing my eyelids
Diamond dust reveals
Her burnt underbelly
I stretch my arms up high above me
Sliding them into the sleeves
Of her gigantic branches
As I become her
Arms...limbs full...stretch.. radiating
Rising up ...my head tall
Viewing nature’s mesmerizing tapestry
Woven yellows and greens
Meadows, springs, water lapping nearby
Echoes of bird calls
A white snowy owl lands on my limb
Quiet gratitude as I see her blink
Her wise old eyes
Rotating her white feathered head
Counterclockwise so she may see
The entire circumference
Of her surroundings
Oh dear owl
Sister of the universe
I hear your silent whispers
Feed my soul with your insight and wisdom
I am grateful for your guidance
As I journey through subtleties
Of acceptance, challenge, and bliss
Arriving at compassion
For life and for others
I do at dawn, reflect.
God made me, perfect.
Thus, my thoughts to reflect.
Bright with affirmations to collect.
Only positive thoughts to project.
To no friend, coldly neglect.
Just humble be,and not correct,
But to all, show great respect!
And, tis not my place to expect,
But to accept others and protect.
Shining in all their glorious aspects.
Fellow poets with which to connect,
With great poetic talent bedecked!
10/28/ 2021
…1…
To wake each day, alive and whole!
Verily a gift for all to behold.
We assume, we will see another day?
Anything can happen, petition....pray.
Going to bed and not thanking the Lord?
You are here now and were spared Death’s sword.
It takes but a minute or two, to be humble.
Cease thinking we are mini gods, who just grumble.
There truly is only one great poet!
We forget we are not Him, and arrogantly show it.
Remember, do.....our days are numbered.
Think seriously on this, before you slumber.
6-21-2022
Earth whispers
I hear her
I am here to receive
Nuances of flight and discovery
My senses warm with anticipation
Fragments of hope and desire
Pain and loss
Arrive on moonbeams of broken glass
Shattered dreams sing
Delivering silky threads
Glistening with seedlings of rebirth
Opening my heart, I close my eyes
Leaning forward into the warmth of the sun
Wearing my vulnerability on my sleeve
I dive headfirst off the cliff
Opening my arms to capture
The energy of the moment
Fingertips outstretched, reaching out
Beckoning encounters with the here and now
How wonderous to receive you
Dear light and love
I journey into what was – what is - and what will be
Messages arrive from you
Feathered musical notes
Cries from the lonely ones
Howls from the night animals
Thunderheads boom in the distance
Piercing the velvet blackness
A warm wave caresses me as you glide by
Tickling me with your tailfeathers
Magic in motion as time stands still
Inside the teardrop I gaze outward
Immersed in the beauty of
What it means to be alive
Persimmon heartbeats envelope me
A gentle rhythm as we rise
To the downy envelope between
Earth and sky
Gliding in peace and unity
Through star crusted waves of
Lavender light
Exhaling gratitude
In gratitude may we flourish…
I’m grateful for:
My coloring books and crayons
The memories of a happy child
The voice of my sweet mother
So comforting, so soft and mild
The friends who shared the summer
For sandy beaches so serene
And those who shared the winter
And every season in-between
For love and laughter always
My health and will to have survived
For furry friends, companions
From whom such pleasure is derived
The seasons of a lifetime
For everything that’s come to me
For having known some kindness
And every good thing that I see
At my lowest point
there is still so much to be grateful for
We pass by homeless on the street
They make me grateful for the roof above my head
Metatarsalgia in my feet makes me wince
How lucky I am that I can still walk
Although my feet hurt
I’m thankful the tumors in them are benign
How grateful I am not to worry how my money will be spent
Because I have none
Sure, my cholesterol is nearly 400
But I’m thankful that my heart still beats
Age has blurred my vision
Yet it’s a blessing to have eyes that still see most things
And ears to hear
Though people have to speak louder to me now
How grateful I am to have a voice
When there is someone who cares to listen
A sense of humor is one of God’s greatest gifts
Let's all show our appreciation
*August 31, 2020
For Francine’s “Attitude of Gratitude” contest
Oh, fireman, by your saving grace,
my babies remain now with me,
so I give kisses thankfully
all over your sweet dearest face.
And please do not think that I’m rude.
Though my kisses be rough and wet,
there's no bigger love you can get
then this mama dog’s gratitude.
In honor of Joyce Johnson's first contest ever:
"Doggy Gratitude"
The “forthcoming” backtracks on dilly-dallied whispers.
They place verbal down payments on layaway,
Incomplete soul mates
Running on muted slow dances
Blanketing their pain
“Oh, how I always wished for your lips against my selfless animosity”, said Nobody.
Another decrepit smile
Pandering arrogant Bible verses,
They stroke heartbeats
Made of blood diamond fallacies
Reflecting upon misery with convex eyes,
Companionship denied,
“I’m so glad you stayed”, said Somebody.
Placating vehement touch,
They ache for petulant innocence
To rock them to sleep
Lullabies venture unto unknown certainties,
Lackadaisical clef sharpens ill-fated tomorrows
They make “love” to invisible yesterdays,
Feeding off strenuous caress
Torn, silky dress
Perpetuating restraining orders in duress
Bloodied retinas blink,
Vexed
©Drake J. Eszes
Grace and mercy
I shall ever implore
as my soul
yields to boundless passions
crosses lines
and in dire straits
found lost.
The Hand of God
I shall ever beseech
to touch my heart
turn hate into compassion
envy into contentment
vanish vanity into modesty
and to raise me up
as I fall.
The blessings of His Holiness
I shall ever pray for
a voice of truth
a valiant spirit
wearing the night to meet the dark
a beauty
oozing from deep within
seeping into souls' hearts.
The voice of abiding gratitude
I shall ever raise
an unbending power
though heavy the pain
endurance is God's reward
His guidance, a divine award
the gifts bestowed upon me, I adore
greedy I am to ask for more!
Poetry,
a gift how I wish for!
I shall ever sip its lore
as I aspire
the greatness of its core
my worries would swallow
and in its bounties
my words would wallow.
***
My gratitude to God for the many blessings one of which walking along with dear fellow poets and friends a wonderful path of Poetry and sharing its light and beauty..
Happy New Year to every beautiful soul that has touched my heart and added a lot of depth and meaning..
Elevating Heart
Sweat of Life
Piercing pain of Sorrow
Pendulum of gratitude in motion
How fortunate to experience
To Feel
To delight in the depths of emotion
I burst knowing I am capable of such workings of the
Heart, mind and soul
I am you
You are me
We are we
We are one with each other, with nature,
With the sky, the stars, the moon,
With the creatures of the ocean blue depths,
With the feather tips of ancient falcons,
With the wind whistling through the towering singing trees,
With the lonely roads stretched out on the horizon,
With the melting icicles of change
I am a teardrop on the petal of your eternal flower
I feel the whisper of your breath
Graze across my lips
A gentle imprint left behind
A kiss on my eyelashes
And I am yours
I am honored to be a part of you
Of us
Of now
Of distant past lives
And of
Unrevealed futures
I wear you like my favorite oversized cotton shirt
Threadbare at the elbows
You inhabit my body
Tracing the shapes of my ankles
With your fingertips
Massaging my toes
Following the curves of my hips
Kissing my eyes
And cupping my heart gently
I am in flight ... I am your messenger.
We are one. The radiant glow follows us
Light energy, a tribal dance,
A halo of flickering beauty
Blazing
A flame
Let us be beacons of light together
Fingertips touching, melding
Becoming one beating heart together
For all eternity
Elevating others around us in gratitude
From above in the silent air
I see a fire flickering in the darkness below
Shadows sway on the towering rock walls
A steady drumming in the distance
A drum of ancient hide
Thrumb - thrumb - thrumb
A father watching his newborn suckle at
Its Mother’s breast
A peace resides within
How glorious to be a piece, a part of, a fiber, a color
In this magnificent tapestry of life
That we have all woven together
I fly to the highest snow-covered peak with you and
Dive to the darkness on the ocean floor as
Mysteries reveal themselves
My tears are sweet with magic
And salty with memories
Of time gone by
You are my gift
My hands are warm
My heart is full
A silent smile fills my soul
And wraps me in its embrace
I’m thankful, Lord, for all that’s good -
My freedom, health and womanhood.
So much I have of gratitude
For warmth and shelter and good food.
Especially I’m grateful for
My family and friends and more. . .
I love thy mountains, plains and seas,
Thy many flowers, plants and trees.
May people understand the worth
Of all you’ve given us on earth.
Please bless the loved ones in my life,
Especially those now facing strife.
I pray that I will not be blind
To those in need; I must be kind.
I pray whatever comes to me,
That I’ll accept it gracefully.
Forgive my faults and silly ways.
To thee, oh Lord, I give all praise.
Praise I sing again and again
to Thee, my dear, sweet dear Lord. Amen.
Feb. 11, 2022
For Songs of Praise Contest of Robert James Liguori
medallion dreams now turned to grey,
wild flower scented sheets once laid
on the line held with clothesline wood pins,
now all I can do is hang on to that rope line
for dear life;
(gripping goodbyes)
I sit at my sill inside the nook and
watch generational bonds form.
I look at my hubby and say with pride,
"look what we started, sweetheart..."
Sixty-five years of marriage with
eons of photo frames lining the walls-
for he is my mate to my soul;
my line to my life.
I've worn my heart on my sleeve
since the first time I gave my heart
away-
(high school sweethearts)
I was young,
fell in love too easily;
trusted blindly
but
it was worth every prick to my heart-
every bloodstream that flowed with
pain.
my skin untoned,
wrinkled with spots of age;
beautiful scars worn for years have
finally mended and healed-
for no longer am I scarred.
they say it time and time again....
but honestly-
no I don't wish I knew then what I
know now.
for it is through growth I lived
a life completely full of affection.
I know what it's like to fall in love so
deep your toes curl,
I know what it's like to have two sisters
choose death over life-
I know how it feels to embrace
a daughter on the day she was born,
and
I know how it feels to be loved so
unconditionally...
even the angels weep.
to be grateful is to have lived;
and that is what I shall die saying...
"blessed am I."
(gripping life)
Written: February 6, 2019