A temporary dwelling, built for my family and me
How could I build it, barely able to see
A palm-frond provided with sharp-needled stalks
How could I buy one, I no longer walk
Delicious meals prepared by my wife’s loving hands
How can I help her, I longer stand
Sweet, festive songs sung to melodious tunes
How can I sing, my hearing’s in ruins
I am so grateful, though dependent on others
My caring, devoted Jewish sisters and brothers
________________________________________________________________________
Notes:
In Israel and the world over, Jews eat, recreate, and sleep in tempor-
ary huts called 'sukkot' for seven days during this festival. The holiday
is named 'Sukkot' after these huts.
We wave/shake palm-fronds, myrtle and willow leaves in synagogue,
as part of prayers for rain (in Israel) in its season - i.e., after(!) the festival.
Bird saw he was in the raw
~ composed ‘Turkey in the Straw’
First fruits brought to the Temple were not a one-off affair
They were first brought on the Pentecost right up to the New Year
Farmers, each with his own basket, formed a lively parade
Singing songs of praise while a flautist merrily played
The artisans of Jerusalem met them at the city’s gate
Welcoming those who put delicious fruits on their plate
Then the King himself placed a basket of fruit onto his shoulder
Joining the parade as a humble stakeholder
The ceremony of the First Fruits, a new beginning for us all
Glory to God for the miracle of fruit, inside the Holy Temple’s walls
_______________________________________________________
The first fruits for which the Land of Israel is blessed - wheat, barley,
grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates - can be brought each
year from Shavuos/Pentecost (late May or June to Rosh Hashana/New
Year (Sept. or early October).
This is part of the Torah portion read this Saturday in synagogues
world over. See Deteronomy 26: 1-15
When I am asleep, am I grateful
When I'm awaken, I am grateful
As I start my new day 'm grateful
when I open mine eyes so grateful
I am grateful
Ever so grateful
Abundantly glad rejoiceful
I am grateful
Honestly-thankfully grateful
Grateful
When I am dreamin, am I grateful
When I'm in dazed, I am grateful
As I start my new day 'm grateful
when I open mine eyes, ever so, so grateful
I am grateful
Ever so grateful
Abundantly glad rejoiceful
I am grateful
Honestly-thankfully grateful
Grateful
Overjoyed
Wonderful
Glorious
Life in my Father, is fabulous
Thank-full
Glorious
Overjoyed abundantly grateful
9/03/24
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr. 2024©
for SHASTA JAZZ DEDICATED VERSE FOR SHASTA SIMMS ANTHOLOGY #1
Sing we now our adoration,
sing we now our hymn of praise,
for thy name is our salvation,
and a fount of life always.
God, our Father, high in heaven,
hallowed be thy holy name.
We confess we've grieved thy Spirit,
cast our sins into the sea,
purify us, cleanse our hearts,
that we may be restored to thee.
May thy kingdom come, thy will
be done on earth as done in heav’n.
All the words of every language
never could begin to tell
all the joy of our thanksgiving
for thy gift; Immanuel.
Give us daily bread, forgive
our debts, and lead us far from sin.
O what comfort, Lord, what joy
to cast our cares into thy hand!
Hear our prayer and supplication,
that thy grace would heal this land.
For the kingdom, power, glory
are forever thine, amen.
I
I can hear them say: REJOICE
REJOICE
I can see the flames of God’s heart
Warming fire
I can hear them sing
REJOICE_REJOICE
Beautiful angelic chorus, choir singing higher praise
HALLELUJAH
AMEN
12/14/21
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr. 2021©
Just like In praises I'm raising my hands
And in my, my ears are here I hear so sweet joy bells
And I want to rejoice
Just like celebration
I want to scream out to all the nations
Praises joy, joy, joy, joy, joy
And once again all I want to do is just rejoice
I just want to git mi worship on, on, on, on, on
Angels won't you come and sing along
Praises upmost Glory to sing
I just want to sing His holy songs
I want To praise Him on and on and on
I Just want to get My worship On Glory Hallelujah
Just like in praising I am raising my hands
Raising aloud my voice in song
All I want to do is just rejoice
I just want to sing His holy songs
I want to praise Him on and on and on
I just want to get my worship on
I just want to let the world know
I'm gonna git mi worship on
7/10/21
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr 2021©
My God is a alive and present He's ever PRESENT
These changing things
He's changed me
Allowed myself to make the right choices
I want to hear His voice
See the birds in the trees
See His ever Beauty adorns me
Those grasses The greenery
The trees flowers everything imaginable
He's dawned and laid before me
I'm so blessed
I am not yet a
Achieved this challenges of His ever miraculous balances
I equipped myself with praise
I awaken praising His name
I grow revived and challenged myself to accept Him
And in all His ways gloriousness
I shall not second-guess
I stand in his Assurance blessed
I shall be his light a witness and...
I will shine
I will shine
I will shine
1/31/20
Written word by James Edward Lee Sr 2020
From anthology "Praise Worthy "
From whence come incentive of Thanksgiving song?
Excitement to offer thanksgiving is strong.
Calls writer of lyrics and musical notes,
And bring forth glorious praise from thankful throats.
From whence come the lyrics of Thanksgiving song?
Written by hand of men or from angel’s pen?
Words speak of God’s gifts granted straight from His throne,
Grants so undeserved; so wondrous given.
From whence come the glad tune of Thanksgiving song?
Heaven’s melodic, angelic sing along.
Divine power for weary souls all the day.
Reminds the Lord walks by His child on the Way.
From whence come the voices of Thanksgiving song?
That this grateful anthem be heard by the throngs,
By human voices, words in musical attire.
Praise to the Lord, Leader of Thanksgiving’s Choir.
C
I sing out loud with joy though I am weak
For it is not enough that I could speak
A voice within a valley none would seek
Nor words reecho from a mountain peak
I’m just a sheep that gives a fainting bleat
And yet he hears me from beneath his feet
With such a sound that seem to him so sweet
A simple praise of worship that is meet
My song may not be pleasing to the rest
With what I have for him, I do my best
To make a joyful noise, and filled with zest
Within my grateful heart, so deeply blessed
Unbated breath may strain yet not withhold
Both heart and soul sings of his love untold
"It's Thanksgiving" is a children's song, sung to the tune of "Oh, My Darling Clementine".
It's Thanksgiving, it's Thanksgiving,
It's Thanksgiving-time to eat;
Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes,
Pumpkin pie...yum, what a treat!
Bonus activity: Ask children if they were preparing Thanksgiving dinner, which foods they would prepare. Would they prepare traditional dishes, such as turkey, mashed potatoes and pie? Or nontraditional dishes like tofu turkey and carob chocolate pie? Or, would they simply order a pizza? Why did the child choose that particular menu fare-love of tradition, special dietary needs, ease of preparation?
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.