12 January 2021

A World Made of Gifts



In a world made of gifts, no one
is empty-handed or lonesome.
The hands with which we accept and
give back are precious gifts themselves.

They unwrap packages, pears, twigs,
hard-boiled eggs, shoulders and wounds.
Some beings lose their skins with glee
while others hold the wrap tightly

as if strength grows in resistance,
as if the skin hides the treasure
we need in order to create.
We touch petals, water, small cats—

everything—and fulfill our needs
without depleting the sources.
The hearts with which we give our thanks
radiate like trees and weeds,

recognize kinship. We belong
amid a ceaseless gift exchange.
And some days we willingly know
our place, and some days we forget.


 the earthweal weekly challenge: GIFTS

My blog poems are rough drafts.
   Please respect my copyright. 
 If you quote, credit this page.
     © 2020 Susan L. Chast
 

6 comments:

  1. This is beautiful and wise. I love the hands, unwrapping all the gifts!

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  2. This poem is full of gratitude. It's so true, 'some days we willingly know/our place, and some days we forget.' It's always good to be reminded!

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  3. What common and extraordinary gifts, these hands, all of us have these appendages of reaching and grasping and touching and holding. Thanking hands as gifts makes them extensions of wonder. All we had to do was thank them ... Well done Susan, thanks for bringing this to earthweal. Important work in times like this ... Brendan

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  4. I love the detailing in this poem, and the hands holding it all together. So many gifts.

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  5. Recognizing kinship...that's the key.

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  6. Wonderful food for thought. We are all in this together aren't we.

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