Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Life. Is. Good

After months of stifling heat, I walked outside this morning and was greeted by cool, crisp air. Boy, was that a nice surprise! It refreshed me and put a little spring in my step.

Later on this morning, I surfed on over to my favorite website for writers and decided to join in on their weekly poetry-writing prompt. The challenge was to create a title with the words, "Blank is Blank." Sure, I could have written a poem entitled "She is Ignorant," or "John Cusack is Hot," or "My Teenager is Moody," but instead I went with the positive feelings I got from walking outside into that cool, crisp air this morning.

"Life is Good"

Sure, gas costs me $4.14 a gallon
(and a carton of eggs are more than 2),
But today I have
nowhere to go,
nowhere to drive,
all day to enjoy,
and my daughters wanted waffles
(not eggs)
for breakfast.

(So, really, in the little scheme of things
Life is Good.)

Of course, there is tragedy and sadness,
And prayers for my
Relatives, friends, strangers,
In the hospital, in rehab, in grief.
But a happy smile
and a happy email tells me that
he is better, life is better, and
prayers are powerful.

(So, really, in the grand scheme of things
Life can be good.)

And, while they may be inconsequential to you,
the day is filled with little things that are actually quite
Grand.
Like…
The cool air slapping me in the face,
My Cowboys winning a game,
Your silly grin lighting up the room,
A good book,
A good taste,
A good sip,
A good memory,
A good hug.

It makes me wish there was a way to go back in time,
and give a message to the man (a writer) who killed himself
over the weekend.
I’d pat him on the shoulder,
encourage him to smell the roses & savor the wine,
listen to the laughter & feel the cool breeze,
then take a deep breath, and think about it again.

Because, really,
Life. Is. Good.

I never claim to be a "real" poet (and I sure do envy those who have that gift!), but I still enjoy putting my thoughts down into this sort of format.

And perhaps my attempt at poetry this morning can inspire you to...

Write a poem (if you don't know where to start, go with "Blank is Blank")

or

Think about why your life is good

(there are a lot of reasons--big and little--aren't there?).


17 comments:

Jenster said...

The poem was great until you got to the part about the Cowboys. It was a great game, though, even if the Eagles didn't win. (BTW - I was a Cowboys fan until we moved up here. I'm very fickle that way.)

Yea for cool, crisp air!!

camport said...

Yes. Life is good!

:)

Nnairda's said...

This post made me smile. :) I'm not a poet and will attempt to write a poem. But I came up with a title...Today is Better.

Thanks for the well wishes!

Adriann

Kingcover said...

There's plenty of "cool crisp air" over here right now? Would you like me to send you some? I hate the stuff. Bring back the Summer please. Pretty pleaseee.
I'm glad to see that gas is coming down again. I can now fill my car AND buy a sandwich with the same money has two weeks ago. Just hope I don't make the mistake of pushing the sandwich into the tank. Ham and lettuce coming out of the tailpipe would give a whole new meaning to biodegradable food sources!

Laura said...

Life is good because I get to spend time with my three year old at the beach next week. Imagine getting to experience the ocean through her eyes!

Cheryl Wray said...

Jenster--Oh no, not an Eagles fan!! :-) Just kidding..it was a really great game on both sides of the ball. I think both teams will do great this year!

Camport--I know it is for you! I thought of you in regards to this, after I read your post about Baby #3.

Adriann--Good title!!!

King--It has been SO hot around here (like in the 90s just over the weekend!), so we are thrilled to have some cool weather. Glad to know your gas prices are coming down. Ours is supposed to be, but the Hurricane has caused problems with it!

Laura--I love it!! You will all have such a great time!

Adrienne said...

Yes Life is good!

Auburn Kat said...

Sometimes it's so easy to let the little things get you down but you are right, there are a lot of good things in my life that I need to constantly be thankful for!

Anonymous said...

I don't think I've ever tried towrite a poem. Maybe I should try to.

Good post, Cheryl.

Anonymous said...

OMG! I love this poem! And yes, indeed, LIFE IS GOOD!

I have soooo need to sit down and write a poem! In all honesty, mine would never even touch the surface of your coolness! :D

Monogram Queen said...

Ha haaa I am laughing at jenster - i'm not a cowboys fan either!

I agree, Life IS good!

Cheryl Wray said...

Adrienne--Yes, it is!!!

Kat--So true. I know I need to remember that more often. :-)

Gin--You SHOULD try one.

Maria--You are SO sweet. You are so artistic and creative that I know any poetry you wrote would be great!

Queen--Oh no. Another Cowboys hater! LOL

Anonymous said...

I love this post Cheryl, thank you!

Linda said...

beautiful post....come check outmy blog.

Heather Landry said...

I loved your poem. It's a beautiful day here too. We have the windows open and the birds are singing. Awesome break from the 90+ heat.

scrappermimi said...

What a great post!

Even though your Cowboys beat my Eagles! LOL!

hippo chick said...

Poetry really escapes me. I love it, but writing it just seems impossible to me. I think I'll try a "life is good" sometime this week. Thanks for the idea.

Maybe I'll write a poem entitled "Cheryl is Cool"

~hippo hugs~
Pam