to thank the heart
that pumps her blood
but is also capricious
to thank her skin
for its fine senses
but not its itches
to thank her tongue
that tastes the wine
though its craving is costly
to thank her stomach
for its friendly moans
but not for its revolts
to thank her nose
for the aroma of coffee
but not for the allergies
to thank the sun
that cheers her day
but she flee its scorching heat
to thank the twilight
for its mystery
though it holds melancholy
to thank the moon
for its splendour
though it upsets her moods
to thank the poets
for their insight
be they opaque
to thank her ancestors
for their endowments
though some are dire
to thank her parents
for the gift of life
though they clipped her wings
to thank her child
for its joyous arrival
though sacrifices were made
to thank her friends
for their kindness
though losing them hurts
to thank her foes
for her trials
though forgiving them is hard
to thank the imperfections
that altered her path
be they often self-destructive
to thank the devices
that ease her days
but not when they malfunction
to thank her ears
for music, wind and rain
though not for the shrill sounds
to thank her eyes
for the world’s colours
though they can overwhelm
to thank her dreams
that bring treasures
but also anxieties
to thank her naivety
for avoiding disputes
though it inhibits her actions
to thank her angel
custodian of her soul
though vital messages are missed …
she thanks readers
for appreciating her books
though she longs for reviews …
*
Exciting … If you type … Ashen Venema, Shapers … into google, you’ll find several platforms that allow you to pre-order #shapers. The e-book link will follow once the paperback is released.
*
The image above is a painting by Cynthia Holt, inspired by some of my poems. I lost contact. Can’t find her now
Course of Mirrors 
Isn’t the painting and the artist something to be thankful for, but losing contact a downer? Best of luck with your new novel. ~Nan
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Yes, Nan. A lovely surprise at the time. I even received the original painting from Cynthia. She left a long comment on the bottom of my poems page. I did a post in Dec 2014
Sadly, Cynthia’s website – http://www.mermaidtavern.net – discontinued the same year.
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Excellent poem Ashen. Thanks. Light and dark is always mingled.
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Thanks, Rob ☼
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Excellent poem Ashen…..thanks. Light and dark are always mingled.
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These days it’s kind of ineffective to mingle. To make an impact you must be either for or against something. The subtle inner communication (or soul-making) is lost in our climate of polarisation.
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This poem echoes all my current thoughts, where regret and appreciation do battle daily! Much love.
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I’m pleased the poem resonates. Let’s hang in there. It’s surreal how the media is saturated with inane advice and ‘new’ research that amounts to no more than common sense. Reflective dialogue and doubt are not fashionable.
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