[stylist] Comments on Barbara's gratitude prompt

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Barbara,

I'm not an expert on poetry, so I will only speak to what I enjoyed with
this poem and what are mere suggestions.

I like the second person use of "you." It requires the reader to
internalize it, to think.

This poem doesn't have much imagery, and personally I like poetry with
more imagery. Nothing wrong with this, just my opinion.

I like the final few lines. A nice poem for this prompt.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter, editor, Slate & Style
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 11
Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2012 21:55:48 -0600
From: "Barbara Hammel" <poetlori8 at msn.com>
To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [stylist] gratitude assignment (a poem)
Message-ID: <SNT139-ds15FBEF381E5FA0EC0F9E94EB6D0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

I have also attached a copy since format will probably be lost. Funny
how this divine coincidence of not only Thanksgiving falling this month
and the storms which prompted Chris?s topic but also our Sunday School
class is doing a book on changing your attitude to one of thankfulness.
So here goes:


    GRATITUDE

 By Barbara Hammel



GRATITUDE

IS the

Attitude

That sets the

Altitude

Of living,

It turns a heart that's hurt when getting

To one that loves and one that's giving.



You fly so low because you feel so low

In the game of blaming others,

You're always finding fault in things

And desiring what's another's.



You criticize at every turn,

You think that you are always right,

You're in self-protection mode

Always looking for a fight.



You gossip to your closest friends,

You complain about the thoughtlessness,

You whine about the injustice,

You strike out in feigned helplessness.



And yet there's much that you could do,

If you'd just have some gratitude,

And then your altitude for living,

Would rise, and thus your attitude.



You've got to be willing to reach out,

Past whatever hurts you have known,

To be a part of the solution

In the problems others own.



You've got to find the good in life,

In everything that comes your way,

Even times when there seems no hope

You must find something good to say.



I know that always being like that

Seems such a sappy thing to do

And being around these people,

You want to choke them till they turn blue.



But these folks are on a higher flight

So their hearts are set on giving.

Gratitude

Is the

Attitude

that sets the

Altitude

For living.