A Gift

You know how some days just gloriously start out "just right." Today is one of those days thanks to my friend Ingrid. I sent Ingrid a birthday wish and she sent me this poem, which I love. It started my day with a smile and a new poet, L. B. Thompson, I'm anxious to learn more about. I'm still searching for more, but what's I've found so far can be found here - http://www.wellesley.edu/WomensReview/archive/2004/11/poetry.html - where you can read some of her work in addition to a few others.

And I share the gift with you . . . enjoy.

Ingrid may have started a lovely new trend of "giving" on your birthday, rather than "receiving." What do you think?

Variation on a Theme by King David

Praise to you!
Praise to you my snappy love!

Praise you in clean socks on a Queens-bound
train; praise you
for your famous avocado
sandwiches; Praise you from Brooklyn to blasphemy!

I've called the mayor to praise you; & a third-
base coach; even
that no-neck accountant
who doesn't have the decency to nod hello
has agreed to praise you!

Praise you with bongos and fine fancy
tea; praise you
with rhumba, tango & marmelade; praise
you with your knickers at your knees!

I praise you on Flag Day, & on whichever equinox
allows for the balancing of eggs;
I praise you with eggs!
Brown ones & jumbo & Faberge Tiffany blue!

On the white of your wrist I praise you;
on the vaccuumed throw rug; I praise you full-
page on Sunday! With faxes
& foxgloves & brushed cotton sheets;
with sky-write & timbrel &

wink! Let every soul
in the Battery Tunnel honk
her horn to praise you! Praise you
with ripe limes & wrestling mats;
praise you tax-free with agates and tin foil
& all sparkly things!

Praise you with foggy spectacles and Wisconsin green cheese!
Praise you to the afternoon of orthopedic sneakers;
praise you from poinsettia to piccolo!
Praise you & praise you & praise you!

My love,
from Brooklyn to blasphemy I praise you!

--L. B. Thompson