A Collection of Poems I Have Been Gathering over the Past Couple Weeks, all With one Similar Theme

Over the last couple of weeks, I have found some poems with a similar theme.  Each with the idea that life is made up of simple things, and you should enjoy them.  Drastic life events don't happen very often and you shouldn't live only for them.  Find joy and happiness in the smallest things, the everyday pieces of peace and happiness in life.  

The first poem I found is called "The Orange" by Wendy Cope.   It is such a beautiful but simple and short poem and I even put it on my Instagram a while ago.  It seemed to set off my Pinterest acct and I found many other poems following this theme.  

The Orange 

At lunchtime I bought a huge orange—
The size of it made us all laugh.
I peeled it and shared it with Robert and Dave—
They got quarters and I had a half.

And that orange, it made me so happy,
As ordinary things often do
Just lately. The shopping. A walk in the park.
This is peace and contentment. It’s new.

The rest of the day was quite easy.
I did all the jobs on my list
And enjoyed them and had some time over.
I love you. I’m glad I exist.

— Wendy Cope 

It is such a beautiful but also simple and short poem, I even put it on my Instagram a while ago.  It seemed to set off my Pinterest account and I found many other poems following with this theme after this one.  

The next poem is called "Do not ask your children to strive," by William Martin. 

'Do not ask your children to strive'

“Do not ask your children
to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable,
but it is the way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder
and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting
tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry
when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure
in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.”

—William Martin 

I think this poem could be misconstrued as saying not to ask your children to hope and strive for good things.  Instead, I think it is saying to let your children know that they don't need to strive for big things if they don't want to.  Simple things are enough.  You never know if your children will go on to do what you deem "great things" but if you don't expect them to and also tell them that simple everyday life is great then they are already living a fulfilling life.  

A little poem by Mary Oliver (untitled).  

That's the big question, the 

one the world throws at 

you every morning. 

Here you are, alive.  Would you 

like to comment? 

—Mary Oliver 

I think this little poem is so beautiful.  You're alive every morning, you can wake up and drink some orange juice and make some toast and smile into the morning sun.  This poem doesn't exactly follow the prompt but I think the underlying message does and I decided to include it anyways.  

Days 

Each one is a gift, no doubt, 
mysteriously placed in your waking hand 
or set upon your forehead 
moments before you open your eyes. 

Today begins cold and bright, 
the ground heavy with snow 
and the thick masonry of ice, 
the sun glinting off the turrets of clouds. 

Through the calm eye of the window 
everything is in its place 
but so precariously 
this day might be resting somehow 

on the one before it, 
all the days of the past stacked high 
like the impossible tower of dishes 
entertainers used to build on stage. 

No wonder you find yourself 
perched on the top of a tall ladder 
hoping to add one more. 
Just another Wednesday 

you whisper, 
then holding your breath, 
place this cup on yesterday’s saucer 
without the slightest clink.

—Billy Collins 

An Untitled Poem 

i don’t need 

fancy ways 

and shiny things, 

give me 

slow hands, 

honest eyes, 

and full attention 

with ease 

…give me priceless things. 

 —butterflies rising

I have not always been a big fan of 'butterflies rising', some of the poems seem silly but I like this one.  There is a style of poetry called "Instagram poetry", I am not sure if this poem falls perfectly under the Instagram poetry style but other poems by butterfly rising are.  Instapoems are short poems- most of the time with art in the background and in my opinion most of the time they are not very deep and meaningful.  I am not a fan of Instagram poetry and it has even been said that it's not real poetry, just short epigraphs that anyone could write.  Either way, I still thought this poem was simple and sweet and fits with the theme.  It says that the priceless things are not the big once in a lifetime events, it's the simple, honest things.   

— — —

I didn't realize until today that the one year anniversary of this blog has come and gone.  I  have posted weekly for over a year!  If you have followed since the beginning then thank you so much.  And even if you have only read one or two posts, thanks also.  I love being able to share my thoughts and post short stories.  

Last year one of the first posts I made was a little similar to this one.  You can read the blog post here, https://under-the-lavender-skies.blogspot.com/2020/02/enjoy-little-things.html#more  I wrote a little something and put it on a photo that I took.  Here it is! 

This quote might not have much to do with "enjoying the little things,"  but as I mentioned looking up and watching the sky, and even though the sun may set every day, we still will never know when the sky will decide to paint.  

As always, thank you for reading.  I hope you stick around.