Love and Gratitude

The day asks for nothing;
the sun shines.

My coat pockets are empty;
how do I demonstrate gratitude?

The day asks for nothing.
The sun shines on.

I try thank you.
Sun blasts through my words.

Excuse me, am I
unnecessary?

The sun shines on me;
the day asks nothing of me.

I need so much sun.
I hope for longer days.

My pockets are empty,
yet the sun shines, the day is on.

The day is on. I have nothing,
but the sun shines.

I stop asking and go out
into the day, shining.

“Love and Gratitude” was the title poem in a chapbook compiled by Jim S. Rogers (Irish Studies, St. Thomas University): The Sun Shines, the Day Is On: Poems of Gratitude. November 2010. Contributors to the chapbook were a part of the New and Nearby Reading Series. All profits from the sale of the chapbook were donated to Merriam Park Food Shelf.

Amanda St. John is a children's book author and poet. She makes exceptionally tasty pumpkin pancakes and strawberry-lime cheesecakes. She has served on editorial boards for Water~Stone Review and Rock Paper Scissors literary magazines.