This week we’re sharing occasion poems. Here is a Thanksgiving special read to our Executive Producer and Director last year at his Thanksgiving dinner. Of course it’s apropos! Thank you Thomas!
The Big Joy
for Stephen
I want
on this day
as they say
of thanksgiving
to give thanks
for love
and for joy
too little of either
in the world
that we’ve made
the world
that covers up
the world
but the joy
that we name
is not the joy
that we know
always
just beyond words
always beyond
what the eyes
can see
what a tongue
with practice
can say
like our friend
the little frog
outside the door
or perhaps
a little inside
the way we go out
or even
between walls
between worlds
his song
keeps our hearts singing
in spite of the new darkness
and descent
of the year
the fear
we won’t make it
this time
all fears
are really fears
of loving
and being loved
are fears
of getting the gift whole
no light
without darkness
and the terrors of seeing
no sight
without sunshine
in the eyes
listen
do you hear
what I say
no sorrow
without its own joy
say one
and the other is
even
in the saying
even
sailing out
from hearth
and from home
even
in the silence
before dawn
health demands more
than a little sorrow
or a little joy
a big sorrow
big enough
for big joy
big joy
a big joy
big enough for sorrow
the freedom
of the frog’s
lone song
and so
today
between past and
tomorrow
I give thanks
for the sorrow
that completes the big joy
the great sorrow
and great joy
beyond words
Thomas H. Pruiksma
Thanksgiving 2009