March 18, 2009

• Thankful, Spring Edition

  

  photo credit: dharperino (my brother)

  Thankful, Spring Edition

  Fair sunshine and small flecks of green,
  revealing treasures in the ground,
  an opened window, freshened air,
  the deep inhaling of this grace.

  Sorrow distilled,
  ache and agony
  poured in one vessel,
  yearning for relief;
  You who gather tears in a bottle,
  hear our prayer.

  For reunions in the produce section,
  full-exposure answers to politely worded questions,
  so satisfying an exchange
  that we wonder why
  we ever let our friendship
  drift…

  For a cataract of books,
  flooding my shelves,
  swamping my senses.
  I splash
  and sing
  and scoop them up,
  drenched in delight,
  mesmerized by the mist
  of so many nourishing words.

  Balsamic vinegar,
  fresh-squeezed lime,
  tangy smooth yogurt,
  crumbled cashews,
  aroma of cilantro,
  pan-fried asparagus,
  savory lamb,
  sweet oranges,
  a cup of cold water.

  For a well-placed chord or two,
  a progression that knocks down
  any preconceived notions,
  a new way of hearing
  a familiar tune.

  For nicknames and
  the way they worm their way
  through apathy and passivity.
  The current that keeps cracklin’
  when I hear his voice say
  “Hey, Babe!”

  The foreshadow of Easter
  in the springtime cycles:
  awakening,
  arising,
  blooming,
  growing,
  lightening,
  warming,
  returning,
  rejoicing.

  The song of the crocus and daffodil,
  the squeaks and chirps and outside noises,
  The solid joy of this abiding truth:
  Winter is past.
  Death is dead.

  Joy to the world!

  ~

  “Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
  my daily thanks employ;
  nor is the least a cheerful heart
  that tastes those gifts with joy.”*

  * Joseph Addison

   More Thankful posts.

  • 4:04 pm
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