Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GRATITUDE, by HENRY VAN DYKE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

GRATITUDE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Do you give thanks for this? --or that? No, god be thanked
Last Line: Our very heart-beats praise the love that leads us.
Alternate Author Name(s): Civis Americanus
Subject(s): Gratitude; Life; Love; Praise


"Do you give thanks for this? -- or that?" No, God be thanked
I am not grateful
In that cold, calculating way, with blessings ranked
As one, two, three, and four, -- that would be hateful.

I only know that every day brings good above
My poor deserving;
I only feel that in the road of Life true Love
Is leading me along and never swerving.

Whatever gifts and mercies to my lot may fall,
I would not measure
As worth a certain price in praise, or great or small;
But take and use them all with simple pleasure.

For when we gladly eat our daily bread, we bless
The Hand that feeds us;
And when we tread the road of Life in cheerfulness,
Our very heart-beats praise the Love that leads us.





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