be grateful

my mother
alive at 81

mad poets who shout at the sky
spilling their guts

air conditioning
and real breezes

friends i have met
friends i have not yet met

delightful disorganization:
books all over my floor

ancient scotch whisky
shared with a friend

I try to be grateful every day and to share that gratitude with others. It is curious that I’ll hear people say, “thank you” or “I appreciate it” but seldom do I hear people use the word gratitude. It is such a powerful word.

I used it with a friend the other day at lunch. I took her by the hand, looked her in the eye and told her that I was grateful for what she’d done for me. It brought her to tears.

We so seldom express our feelings to others: people are empty vessels aching to hear our words of gratitude.

Things for which I am grateful:
- My children whom I love more than life
- Good conversation with friends.
- People who are not like me.
- Poetry.
- Veal stock.