Praise the Ships, Too: Thoughts From a Morning Walk
Praise the Ships, Too: Thoughts From a Morning Walk
On those beautiful, spring morning walks
when I find myself wishing I didn’t have to go into work,
cursing the very concept of work itself,
I want to remind myself
to look upon and praise not only the waters and the birds,
but the ships, too,
also the grandmother playing with her grandson,
and the businessman sitting with a cherubic smile in his car
enjoying the sunshine on his face,
look upon and praise those big grain ships
that bring in our food,
and the bar on the pier — how many laughs
have been had there? How many loves made
and memories
and silly, forgotten moments
that have their own magic, too?
Look upon and praise the nature, of course,
but remember that you got to this place by road
and slept last night without fear of fanged things,
and that this weekend you’ll be in the library
(that pinnacle of social achievement),
admiring civilization’s finest fruits.
Remember to praise the ships, too,
and the roads, and the grandmothers and grandchildren,
and your own little role in keeping
this whole seemingly impossible thing afloat.
Remember, too, that spring will end,
and then winter comes,
and you’ll be glad for that warm bed
and the excess food brought in.
Look upon and praise the nature, you fool,
but also praise the madcap civilization
that gives stage to the drama we call our lives
the one that bears up all the people you love
and that may be foolish enough to love you back;
yes, praise that, too,
you ungrateful fool,
for that, too, is miraculous
and beautiful,
and it’s a privilege to play
a part in keeping this whole thing
going, truly
a privilege
and a joy.
Still wish
I had the
day off,
though ;)
Copyright 2018, Jeff Suwak
