I have been focused on finding gratitudes this week and as Thursday arrives it seems that when I look for things to be grateful for…they are everywhere. The act of seeking out gratitude has also had the most delightful impact on my attitude.
I stumbled across the poem I am sharing today earlier this month, but I have been re-visiting it almost daily since discovering it. And this week, the poet who wrote it tops my gratitude list.
When Giving Is All We Have
by Alberto Ríos
One river gives
Its journey to the next
We give because someone gave to us.
We give because nobody gave to us.
We give because giving has changed us.
We give because giving could have changed us.
We have been better for it,
We have been wounded by it—
Giving has many faces: It is loud and quiet,
Big, though small, diamond in wood-nails.
Its story is old, the plot worn and the pages too,
But we read this book, anyway, over and again:
Giving is, first and every time, hand to hand,
Mine to yours, yours to mine.
You gave me blue and I gave you yellow.
Together we are simple green. You gave me
What you did not have, and I gave you
What I had to give—together, we made
Something greater from the difference.
When Giving Is All We Have © 2015 by Alberto Ríos.
You can learn more about Alberto Ríos here and here. You will find his website here.
A huge thanks to Bonny for gathering us all together today, make sure you stop by and see what others have shared today!
What a wonderful poem Kat! I love this. Thank you for sharing.
Oh, Kat, this brings tears to my eyes! I was trying to pick a favorite line but I love the whole poem. I will be looking for more from Alberto Rios; I am grateful to him for writing this poem and you for sharing it.
Such a lovely poem, Kat. And so perfect for your week of gratitude, too. Giving . . . is all we have. XO
This poem is such a beautiful reminder of the power of human connection and how we can give to others even if we have nothing ourselves. Thank you for sharing it.
What a lovely poem at the end of another hard week in this country. Maybe poetry will help us save ourselves. I am inspired by your writing about gratitude. Being grateful helps me and I love to read about your thoughts on the subject. Earlier this Spring, I went back to writing an evening note, a list of four of five things I’m grateful for that day, in a small journal beside my bed. Doing so has helped me turn down the volume of my worried mind before I pick up my bedside table book.
beautiful and I especially love the beginning. When I am feeling rotten I like to do for others so at least someone is happy !!