sometimes gratitude feels crunchy

sometimes gratitude feels crunchy

leaves underfoot

instead of overhead

golden light a sign

that it is time to dine

sometimes gratitude 

sounds like a grandchild's prayer

hearts laid bare

we circled around the puppy

skateboarded and walked, feeling lucky

eating strawberry salad

roots roasted, a ballad

potatoes smashed

sourdough stuffing stashed

in a golden turkey, brined

sour cherry pie'd

and cream cheese 

with pumpkin roll, please

sometimes gratitude 

covers the triple word tile

scrabble

and the babble

of siblings

playing with words

sometimes gratitude feels crunchy

my poplar tree done

drawing water and summer sun

from branches and roots 

   through the neighborhood flung

breathes - exhales into my lungs

drops leaves like sunshine

for ladybugs to find

we scatter them like drifts

cover the gardens with poplar's gifts