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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental. Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

Seven Gratitudes - 1. Gratitudes

Here are a few things for which I give thanks this season. I wish any and all peace, health and contentment this year.

I.

 

 

Celebrate

with me the joy of friends,

whose smiles can brighten the darkest day;

their laughter echoes across endless distances

unmuted by trifling age or time,

unbound by convention

or physics.

 

 

II.

 

 

I’m grateful

for dogs before the dawn,

full of life and new-dawned energy

imparted by the stars and a bright crescent moon,

eager for a fresh day’s lively scents,

much too fascinating

to ignore.

 

 

III.

 

 

At sunrise

I breathed my deepest thanks

for water, running hot with comfort,

enough to wash away yesterday’s cares and aches

and reinvigorate an old brain

with new speculation

in the steam.

 

 

IV.

 

 

I salute

those chill autumn mornings

when Orion swings high overhead

and starlight glints off downed leaves and lank grasses

like a million refracted diamonds;

bright, endless points of light

at my feet.

 

 

V.

 

 

Listen close

to the oak’s subtle song,

learned from the wild winds and grey squirrels,

a cantata on flash maples and catalpas,

whispered in the late autumn darkness

to my delight by the

rustling leaves.

 

 

VI.

 

 

Dance with me

to celebrate the snow

that falls fat and thick in November

and greets the grass with such tentative embraces,

not quite believing in its welcome,

that all abashed, it flees

for a day.

 

 

VII.

 

 

Lift your voice,

appreciating bread,

its scent fills every part of the house

with warm promises of smiles and security,

wrapping the spirit in its blanket

where those we knew and loved

still snuggle.

I give thanks for you who read these poems. Your doing so is a great joy to me.

Copyright © 2021 Parker Owens; All Rights Reserved.
  • Love 14
Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental. Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Chapter Comments

Parker Owens
25 minutes ago, weinerdog said:

That was beautiful. Dogs before dawn?Never heard that phrase before but it fits. 

Thank you. I sometimes encounter my colleague walking his dog in the early hours. Such is the source of inspiration. Thank you for taking time to read these. 

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Headstall

These are great offerings for Thanksgiving. I loved 'dogs before dawn' too. "Unbound by Convention"? This resonates on so many levels, and who doesn't love hot steamy water after a brisk walk in the woods at early dawn with your pup. The way your poetry connects with nature always brings me joy... but as much as I love snow, I'm not keen on kicking my way through it while trying to keep up with my dog. I prefer the snuggly blanket which waits back at the house for me. These were wonderful, Parker. Thank you.  

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Parker Owens

@Headstall The very first snow - the starter snow that chills the ground - disappears in short order because the grass is still too warm for it to stick. The big fat flakes that make me dance today will surely make me groan in March. Then, a hot shower after shoveling is essential, followed by toast made with fresh bread. Thanks a million for your comments and for reading. 

Edited by Parker Owens
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chris191070

These are great offerings for Thanksgiving (we don't celebrate it in the UK).

But my Mum was American, so I know from my Mum's family, what a great holiday it is.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

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Parker Owens
1 minute ago, chris191070 said:

These are great offerings for Thanksgiving (we don't celebrate it in the UK).

But my Mum was American, so I know from my Mum's family, what a great holiday it is.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

Thank you so much for reading these and for commenting upon them. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays; full of joyful memories and scents and stories. Thanks again. 

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Saavikam17
1 hour ago, Parker Owens said:

@Headstall The very first snow - the starter snow that chills the ground - disappears in short order because the grass is still too warm for it to stick. The big fat flakes that make me dance today will surely make me groan in March. Then, a hot shower after shoveling is essential, followed by toast made with fresh bread. Thanks a million for your comments and for reading. 

Your penmanship has such delicacy of sentiment,  like the precise purposeful touch of a painter's brush, Parker Owens-san!

and then...Toast made with fresh bread! What a great idea, hmm... excuse me for a minute....😃

  • Love 3
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Parker Owens
41 minutes ago, Saavikam17 said:

Your penmanship has such delicacy of sentiment,  like the precise purposeful touch of a painter's brush, Parker Owens-san!

and then...Toast made with fresh bread! What a great idea, hmm... excuse me for a minute....😃

I am most grateful you took the time to read this, and fo your very encouraging comments. In the morning, I shall rise and look for my neighbor and his dog, glimpse the stars, and bake. And I shall  smile. Again, many thanks. 

  • Love 1
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Parker Owens
3 hours ago, Aditus said:

...or physics.

I always think I'm going along with you when you  describe nature.

Thank you.

 

Poetry may prove theories of quantum mechanics better than particle accelerators. I’m glad you came along with me on these. 

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northie

Celebrate friendship? I do whenever we communicate. Whatever the subject matter, our connection punctuates the day. Your opening skyscraper made me give thanks with its every line. Number 4 is glorious. Your combination of nature, darkness, and starlight is one you come back to and I, for one, am glad. Those verses never fail to resonate. 

Thank you for the gift of your poetry. 😘

  • Love 2
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Parker Owens
24 minutes ago, northie said:

Celebrate friendship? I do whenever we communicate. Whatever the subject matter, our connection punctuates the day. Your opening skyscraper made me give thanks with its every line. Number 4 is glorious. Your combination of nature, darkness, and starlight is one you come back to and I, for one, am glad. Those verses never fail to resonate. 

Thank you for the gift of your poetry. 😘

You’re as kind as ever. It makes me smile to know you enjoyed and connected with these. I know it’s not officially celebrated across the Atlantic, but I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving, nonetheless. 

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Parker Owens
25 minutes ago, JACC said:

Dear Parker,

I’ve wrote other poems (I used to say “texts”, I know better -just different- now), but I think this one of mine can be a good reaction to this beautiful container of emotions and feelings you have shared here with us. 
http://english.joseantoniocalanyascontinente.com/2017/12/a-prayer.html?m=1

Thanks for sharing your precious art!

Gracias, for the link to your poem, and for taking time to read this. I’m grateful it moved you to respond and comment. 

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