Inspiration:
Write a poem of gratitude: noun, the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
- Re-read someone’s poem that was brave, sensitive.
- Remember a book or story that felt like the author wrote it for you.
- Recall a classmate or teacher who was particularly kind – who said hi when you were down, who comforted you, who encouraged you to try again
- Recall all the things your mom, dad, sibling, grandma has done for you — the smallest things that you noticed but so many others don’t
Try starting with this moment:
I am sitting in my metal chair, desk attached
as I have for the last 150ish days, and
I am thinking of all the different ways…
Try ending with how you will return the kindness.
Gratitude
I am sitting in my big, comfy chair with my coffee
as I have at this time for the last 23 days, and
I am thinking about all the different ways
we have poem-ed together.
I hear you. I feel you. I thank you.
And there are other hearts out there who may have not shared
but who have, nonetheless, heard you express and feel blessed
to have read your verse and the rest.
I am just so thankful to you all
for sharing this virtual – no actual- space,
for being vulnerable, honorable, adorable, and invincible,
for your beautiful words on the page, some we just could not say in our days,
and for witnessing lives lived in this-
way.
I love that we are all equals in this space — not the same (thank goodness),
but here — there is no shame -ing or blame-ing.
There are no grades made, no cutting blades of apprais-al.
There are no requirements or performance.
This has been a place to express, collect, reflect, and even experiment.
If you are new to verse, you have likely discovered,
uncovered poetry’s gift of therapy —
its power to assuage souls, stir inspiration, and bring joy.
When you share your poem with us, it goes from yours to ours, and,
well, thank you.