She Walks in Beauty

I’m grateful for change, the ups and the downs,
Both happiness and sadness, the smiles and the frowns.
I’m grateful to writing for giving me pause,
To examine the world, for its beauty and flaws.

To cheese, I thank you for obvious reasons,
And I too must show love to all four of the seasons.
Next up on this list is my trusty canoe,
Cheers to good health, and down with the flu.

Much love to Bri, my partner in life,
I sleep with a smile because she’s on my right,
Plus she’s awfully pretty, and we rarely fight.

An ode to my mind, both wild and curious,
Some teachers loved me, and others were furious,
My brain’s a bit different, for better or worse,
But I see now a blessing, where I once saw a curse.

I’m thankful for books in more ways than one,
They gave me my bullets, my flag, and my gun.
I like the soft sound of traffic, with the moon way up high,
or a nice long walk, though I wish I could fly.

I adore a good drive all on my own,
And that one silly show where they battle for Thrones.
The Leafs, the Raptors, the Jays, and the Bills,
A really loud concert, with all of its thrills.

To not mention hummus would be quite a crime,
And soda water with fresh lemon and lime.
I love speaking new languages in far away places,
I love bold red wine, not bottles, but cases.

I’m thankful for family, I’ve got it quite good,

In the comfort of home, I’ve felt understood,
When it comes to my mom, we’re one and the same,
We’re both like tigers who refuse to be tamed.

My father’s guidance has changed my life,
He’s a calming voice during struggle and strife,
And then there’s my brother, my hero indeed,
I’m happy to follow when he’s in the lead.

Much love to beer for all that you do,
But the really good stuff, not Labatt Blue,
I sure don’t drink you like I did in the past,
Though the university days were truly a blast.

A little bit of praise for fresh veggies and fruit,
And to my Turkish pal Gürbüz, who made all my suits.
I must mention my friends before I forget,
And that strange chicken oven that you forget once you set,

I’ll take an old fashioned with a fresh orange peel,
I love blue, green, and red, and I don’t mind teal,
Let’s hear it for coffee, and also for tea,
I’m down with the insects, from crickets to bees.

I yearn for a moon, so full and so bright,
I do love the day, though not like the night,
I made a good teacher, I did love that,
And the gym brings me joy, and keeps off the fat.

I’m grateful to be born in the Great White North,
With the freedom of speech to talk back and forth,
Clean water, good soil, and a diverse population,
A good place to live, great for vacation.

Because if he didn’t, he’d be noticeably pissed,
He’d figure it out, he’s smarter than Hawking,
When he’s meowing at us, he’s practically talking.

I’ve always been active, I’m grateful for that,
I thrive with a puck, not bad with a bat.
I love the Olympics, and the waving of flags,
On that glorious podium, not a shoulder could sag.

My hometown of Toronto, it needs to be noted
It’s where I grew up, and where I first voted,
Diversity, I know - it what makes us stand out,
And we all get along, in case you had doubts.

Though my office is small, it’s completely my own,
It’s where I run things from my computer and phone,
And I’m humbled and proud that my business is growing,
With plans for the future that don’t involve slowing.

Music, oh music, how could I forget?
I like it on vinyl, I’ll pass on cassettes,
Give me some indie, some electro, and funk,
Up at my cottage, on a bed or a bunk.

I adore maps, both the old and the new,
And my kindergarten teacher, who let me use glue.
I do love art, though can’t draw at all,
I still like the movies, but can’t stand the mall.

To my long-serving laptop, the one they call Mac,
In school and in business, you’ve had my back,
Some love for Steve Jobs, and to brilliant brains,
Those who enlighten, create, and explain.

To the podcast in general, podcasters at large,
It’s amazing what’s created, and how few charge,
It is now the age where information is shared,
Where you don’t need permission before content is aired.

I’m showing some thanks to the makers of pens,
And to camera companies that make a good lens,
To people who still build things with quality in mind,
Who put aside profit, to better mankind.

I want to thank manatees for being absurd,
I know I mentioned cheese, but what about curd?
To electricity, I think thee, for guiding the way,
Here comes the night, one flick, and it’s day.

To folks like Mr. Rogers and Mr. Dressup, too,
Who think of children, and all they can do.
Thank you in general to the old and the wise,
I hear your stories, and see into your eyes.

To crazy cartographers, and the makers of maps,
Who expanded perspective, and wonder, perhaps,
To folks who get up each time that they trip,
Who won’t be defined by a stumble or slip.

I respect the world’s forces much greater than me,
That help us ditch “I,” and start thinking in “We,”
It may be religion, a movement, a book,
That help us discover, to seek and to look.

I’ve got to mention you for reading all this,
Whether you’re a Mrs., a Mr., or Miss,
And not just this poem, but all that I do.
I couldn’t be me if it wasn’t for you.

To sunsets, the sunrise, the planets and stars,
To the everyday people, not presidents or czars,
Life is a journey, a moment, a vow,
Don’t wait for tomorrow, cherish right now.