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NOVEMBER GRATITUDE
By: Wayne Brown
There’s a deep chill in the air, icy and cold
Another November has arrived; leaves turn gold
A familiar time that comes round in our living
A nation’s time of deep humility and thanksgiving
It is the time to reflect on our written history
A time when the beauty of America came to be
When brave souls found their way upon this land
To build a place on which freedom could stand
People seeking the freedom to openly pray
People seeking to just go their own way
Those who wanted a chance to start anew
Gathered their courage and joined the few
Aboard wooden ships they crossed the mighty seas
The many days of wonder; no land and no trees
Would they forever be lost to the dark waters call?
Or would they find a new world and happiness for all?
They came with few belongings, no tools or stock
Coming ashore near a place called Plymouth Rock
Declaring their resolve and prayers upon this new land
With visions of where their homes would soon stand
Much to their surprise, dark-skinned people were here
And many ran from their presence to hide in fear
But a peace was upon these times of all man
And the Indians agreed to share this great land
Great feasts were prepared ; humble thanks were offered
To the wonderful grace of God and all that he had proffered
In their coming to this new land so vast, so raw, and so wild
To flourish as families, every man, woman, and child
Each year they gathered to remember and celebrate
Coming to this new world; a land ever so great
To find a new life and a new sense of liberty
To create the home of the brave; the land of the free
Time passes decade by decade but the tradition still lives
To gather at this time and thank God for what he gives
To feast and celebrate the rigors of a dangerous trip
When people seeking freedom boarded wooden ships
Thanksgiving stands as a time to stop and give gratitude
A way of life, our families, friends, and abundance of food
It should always reminds us of the excitement and emotions
When freedom-wanting people risk crossing the great ocean
May we once again stop and give thanks in this season
For all those things for which we have heartfelt reason
To say a quiet prayer to the Lord up above
That this nation can continue in freedom, peace, and love
©Copyright WBrown2011. All Rights Reserved. 11/22/2011
Comments
Beautiful message woven within this poem.
Your excellently thoughtful verse complimented with music and a slide show that shows the diversity of our people over time. What a gift to us as we get ready for the holiday. Thanks for taking the time to add the extras.
Cowboy Brown,
This is wonderful! :)
And oh, if it could have only stayed that way. The way it was in the beginning when the two peoples met.
I've often wondered what it was like. The white folks staring at the red folks, and the red folks staring at the white folks. Each thinking the other's clothes were strange, and maybe how they cooked their food was strange .... that part makes me smile, lol.
Apparently, even though the friendships declined after the first Thanksgiving on these shores, eventually they got patched up enough for some from each side to get along very well with each other.
Hopefully things will continue to improve and stay that way.
Beautiful, touching poetry, Wayne. I can't help but wonder what the Pilgrims would think about the state of affairs in the U.S. today if they were able to revisit. Our freedom and subsequently peace and love is being more compromised every day.
WB - Thanks for the reminder that we all have much for which to be thankful. And we should all continue to offer up our prayers for peace, freedom, and love. Love the video/song too. Best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving for you and your family!
It sounds like a song in my mind with excellent rhythm and beat. Very beautiful! Thanks
Beautiful poem and the last four lines sum it up beautifully. Video pictures were heartfelt reminders of times long past, our foundation. Thank you for the reality of Thanksgiving in word and picture!
- Author
@seedplanter...Thank you, I appreciate the encouragement. WB
@adt719...Thank you. Consider it a "Thanksgiving Gift"! I was glad that I could do it. Thanks for the good words. WB
@femmelflashpoint...I think that we have to give thanks that we came to our senses on this side of the equation. We have much to repent for in our treatment of the red man in the 1800's especially. That is a yoke we get to wear and hopefully a basis for Thanksgiving. WB
@drjb...You are so right, Doc. Our freedoms are test each day especially with the current government. Sometimes I wonder if there is anything that would stop them at this point. We need very much to be thankful for the freedoms which have been fought for each and everyone of us. WB
@Truckstop Sally....Thanks so much Amy and the same back to you. This is truly the time when we should reflect on our good fortune to live in this country. WB
@pennyofheaven...Sing it! LOL! Thanks much! WB
@frogyfish...And thank you so much for those good and kind words. WB
This poem touch deep, Wayne. There are many similarities in the histories of SA and the USA. I do wish you, and all countries in this world, only freedom, peace, and love. May your Thanksgiving be everything you wish it to be.
Wayne, YOU always inspire me! I love that kind of patriotic, emotion, prideful, God and country stuff. You are masterful in putting words together in this kind of fashion.
Have a GREAT Thanksgiving my friend!
Chris
You have done such a beautiful job portraying thanksgiving. :)
Hello, Wayne,
This is a terrific work of art and you did very good job of reminding us all what Thanksgiving Day is all about.
- Author
@MartieCoetser...Thank you Martie...and Bless you this thankful season. WB
@CMerritt...I just wait for the inspiration Chris. I was not going to write a Thanksgiving piece, they ol' inspiration just showed up. LOL....Happy Thanksgiving. WB
@QudsiaP1....Thank you so much for those nice words. WB
@feenix...Thanks much...so glad you liked it. WB
A THANKFUL HEART By BERNARD LEVINE
In the heart of every baby
you’ll find the beautiful love of God
In the sparkle of every shining star
is the brilliance of God’s genius
In every drop of precious water
is the immeasurable kindness of God
When you touch the texture of a leaf
you feel the gentleness of God
It’s a wonderful privilege
to love God and say thank you
There’s a very special feeling you get inside
when you care for and look after God’s creation
It’s so rich and so meaningful
to be living each day to please God
Giving God gratitude
brings more miracles
into your life.
© Bernard Levine
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