21 November 2008

sunday scribblings - #138 - grateful



this is a little poem i stumbled across in my travels --- when i found it , it had author unknown at the end of it – if anyone is aware of the author’s name i would be glad to know and give credit where credit is due




WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

when you thought i wasn't looking,i felt you kiss me good night,and i felt loved.
when you thought i wasn't looking,i saw tears come from your eyes,and i learned that sometimes things hurt,but it's all right to cry.
when you thought i wasn't looking,i saw that you cared and i wanted to be everything that i could be.
when you thought i wasn't looking,i looked ...and wanted to say thanks for all the things i saw when you thought i wasn't looking.


author unknown


when first i found this wonderful little piece of poetry, i was in search of a piece of something to express to my hero just how very much he had furnished our lives with his love, how many things of which i was aware that were largely unspoken --- the verse seemed the perfect vehicle to carry all those unarticulated things, and so i set about using the free verse as a basis for a 25th wedding anniversary card – it has since been laminated and made into a bookmark for our bible ---

each time i reread it – which is sometimes quite often – i remember the way it softened his face when he read it, and the stray tears of sentiment that rolled slowly from his beautiful pale blue eyes --- he was so touched and i could see so clearly the resemblance to the young james dean poster i kept for that very reason – and i knew that i had just captured another memory to go with all those others “when he thought i wasn’t looking, but i looked!”

now more recently, i have come upon a longer piece of the same verse, again author unknown, this one with a more child like flavor --- the longer piece holds the shorter one within it --- and i just wonder how many people apart from my own selfish little self let go the little things, pretending they weren’t looking or perhaps not really seeing, and never acknowledging or voicing thanks or gratitude or perhaps remaining oblivious to those insignificant momentous banal experiences that make up our days and are forever woven into the tapestries that make up our lives --- when i read the simplicity of thought in this poem, it really makes me want to whack myself upside the head with a skillet for all the mundane moments i let go unappreciated and unremarked!!!!!



WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN”T LOOKING
when you thought i wasn't looking, i saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and i immediately wanted to paint another one.
when you thought i wasn't looking, i saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
when you thought i wasn't looking, i heard you say a prayer, and i knew there is a God i could always talk to and i learned to trust in God.
when you thought I wasn't looking, i saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and i learned that we all have to take care of each other.
when you thought i wasn't looking, i saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing left and i learned that those who have something should give to those who do not.
when you thought i wasn't looking, i felt you kiss me good night and i felt loved and safe.
when you thought i wasn't looking, i saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and i learned we have to take care of what we are given.
when you thought i wasn't looking, i saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you did not feel good and i learned that i would have to be responsible when i grow up.
when you thought i wasn't looking, i saw tears come from your eyes and i learned that sometimes things hurt, but it is all right to cry.
when you thought i wasn't looking, i saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that i could be.
when you thought i wasn't looking, i learned most of life's lessons that i need to know to be a good and productive person when i grow up.
when you thought i wasn't looking, i looked at you and wanted to say “thanks for all the things i saw when you thought i wasn't looking”.


author unknown




16 comments:

Rinkly Rimes said...

If we thought about those watching us we'd do good deeds ALL the time, instead of just living inside our own heads.

Stan Ski said...

There's always someone looking, but strange how it's often the inspiring things we do that we like to keep private.

anthonynorth said...

A beautiful poem, and so true. Are we really ever truly alone?

Marja said...

Indeed a very touching poem Thanks for sharing

Roan said...

I don't know the author, but it sure is a lovely poem. It makes you think. I feel certain someone is watching over us.

paisley said...

what a beautiful post,, all of it,, the love and admiration you feel for your hero rings thru,, as does the honesty with which you approach your own gratitude...

Tumblewords: said...

How lovely...this post is terrific!

Rambler said...

loved the first poem..really good one

Alisa Callos said...

This is a poem to remember—Thank-you. It really hit home with me as I have four little eyes watching everything I do. It’s good to remember what I am teaching by example.

Patois42 said...

Those really resonate with me. Thank you.

Miss Alister said...

If you must, let it be one of those itty, bitty, aluminum mess kit skillets. Anyway, I think there must be no need. If you took the time to find that poem, present it to your hero, and take note of the tears from those james dean baby blues… Well, you know when you think he’s not looking, he sees all the love and appreciation :-)
missalister

Tammy Brierly said...

I thought of God in that first one. My favorite teacher. How wonderful to have such a hero.

*~sis~* said...

someone is always looking, and it does well to say thanks now and again :)
love this!

Devil Mood said...

Wonderful words of appreciation: wonderful to say them to whom we appreciate and wonderful to be heard from someone who appreciates us :)

Whitesnake said...

A kiss from a Rose..........pure and simple

Tammy Brierly said...

Happy New Year Danni!