As far back as I can remember, way before I was even able to read, my late mother
helped me to recite poetry every moment she could spare. I still remember most of the
poems and the love for them she instilled in me, but of them all, one stands out as the
first set of words that enraptured me completely:
“I think that I shall never see
Trees BY JOYCE KILMER
A poem lovely as a tree” ~
That was a long time ago, and the sad thing is that I never had the refined brilliance to
thank this fantastic lady who is now in heaven. She created the miracle because she
believed. She believed in the miracle that I was when the doctors sent her and her
premie home with less-than happy-news. And what’s more, she reminded me every year
that I was a miracle.
And I believe!
Oh, how I wish my mother could see me now as I celebrate yet another birthday which
spells more life and joy and miracles. I’m more grateful for poetry today than I’ve
ever been in my life, as now I’m contributing a verse of my own every chance I get.
So today, I wish to send her a belated thank you note and share with you all one of my
most significant achievements (self-assessed):
A Shakespearean Sonnet:
I never thought I could write a Shakespearean, but I did. To you, this one might
seem like nothing but to me, gosh… So yeah, this is my Prize.
— Boasting begins where wisdom stops.
— Not knowing is Buddha.
— Even a fool may be good at something.
~Japanese Proverbs
This post first appeared on Medium in Thank You Notes Publication
Thanks all for being here and reading my humble offerings this month to
mark this special milestone with me.
I’m gratefully IN JOY with life & when I blow out the candle on my cake,
and make a birthday wish, I’ll send it your way.
You already know what that’ll sound like:
I WISH you MIRACLES!
May all your goals manifest for you through
action, grit, and the real power
of
your own generated miracles.
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Beautiful 🙂💜 I hope you have the happiest of birthdays.
The happiest. 😁 thanks for reading Jennifer. I bless you. XoXo
Happy birthday, Selma!! Blessings as you celebrate and write poetry!!
Thanks so much, Ruth. Blessings on your day.
Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday! Oh another commonality between us. Joyce Kilmer’s poem is one of the first that I memorized because I love trees, and I fell in love with the poetic words. I do believe you can write anything you set your mind to. every day I check my email waiting expectantly for your beautiful poems and thoughts.
Hope your day was full of miracles–you deserve many!
Aww. You bless me with this comment dear friend. The way was most enjoyable. A perfect start to my new year of becoming. Thanks for being here. I wish you miracles.
Delightful post, Selma. Much to celebrate during your birthday month! I enjoyed reading about your mom. I love Kilmer’s poem. 💗🌳
Thanks so dearly, Michele Lee. I wish you miracles
You are welcome! That is a beautiful and unique thing to say. Thank you, Selma, and same to you!
It’s a beautiful poem and post to celebrate your birthday and to thank Who undoubtedly played the most vital role in your upbringing.
I enjoyed about your mom! I love poem. I hope your day was full of miracles. Happy birthday celebration month. I like your mom memories words use in poem. Iam so happy. God blessing 🙏
Thanks dearly, dear Raj. I bless you and wish you miracles. Thanks for supporting my efforts always. XoXo
Most welcome, Selma. Iam glad too. Bless you 😃😍
Moms are tops. Thanks so much, Sadje. I wish you miracles
Thanks Selma.
What a lovely verse, definitely something to be proud of, Selma! Celebrating your mom, as you celebrate your birthday is such a wonderful idea! We are who we are because of our moms. May you have a joyous day, full of miracles too! 💖✨
Moms are special. Everywhere. Thanks for reading sweet dearest. I bless you and wish you miracles XoXo
You are most welcome, dear. Always grateful for your blessings. 🙏🏼❤️
An inspiring post, Selma! The sonnet is truly uplifting and speaks to me this morning! I also am grateful for a mother who introduced me to poetry, and Kilmer’s poem has been a favorite since I first read it in high school. May you enjoy many more years of inspiring others with your beautiful poems! <3
So happy for this comment, Cheryl. You inspire me to keep going. I so appreciate you. I wish you miracles. XoXo
Happy Birthday!
Yesterday at the flower farm stand all they had were these huge sunflowers.
I bought three. The stems are so thick I couldn’t fit them all in one vase.
One for you, one for me and one for any other October birthday!! 😉
May we all continue to use our days wisely by shining our own love light as far as it will reach – and even farther with a little stretching.
One for me! Oh, what a lovely heart you have. Thank you. And three is a great number. And tomorrow is your birthday. Happy early birthday, Jules. Many blessing. XoXo
💖💗💚
I wish I had understood my mother better when she was alive. But I suppose we all fail in that to some extent. But to be grateful, no matter when, is always a worthy gift. (K)
To be grateful is the point And it’s all worth it in the end. Thanks for the comment K. XoXo
What a gorgeous sonnet, thanks for sharing the miracle of you on your birthday!! 🥳💝💃
You know the pleasure is all mine, right? It is I who appreciates your lovely support. How lovely you are. Thanks, Tricia. Blessings.
❤️🌹❤️
I love the Shakespearean sonnet and also the apt Japanese proverbs. You always write so beautifully, Selma, and I always enjoyed reading your wonderful and sensitive poetry. It’s lovely to know how your beloved mum instilled such a love of poetry into your heart. I’m sure she will be with you in spirit as you celebrate your special day. Love to you, my friend. Xx 💖
Thanks. Ellie, my sweet. Your appreciation encourages me to go on. Thanks for the support, dear friend. I bless you. Xoxo
It’s finally arrived Selma… happy birthday and I love your Shakespeare poem. I wouldn’t even attempt it.. Bravo!
Yes it has: My 21,919 days (and counting)
Glad you liked my poem. Try it… the reward is stupendous, methinks, I bless you. xoxo
I love your sonnet Selma! And I hope you had a lovely day on your birthday 💗
Oh my gosh Selma, you are AWESOME on so many levels. CONGRATULATIONS on your publication sistah! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 You tug at my heartstrings because our stories are rather parallel regarding our mothers influence on us with poetry. Happy belated birthday and guess what? You have about 354 more days of celebrating to go. 🥳 THEN, you simply start the celebration all over again. That’s how we roll when we are blessed to see another birthday! 🎆🎁🎂🎈🎉 Hugs and smooches! 🥰😘😍
It’s a year long celebrating. And yes. As long as these bones can shake a limb, I dance. And in my heart there’s always a celebration going on right now. (It’s always right now) hugs and smooches too. And miracles. Xoxo 🎈
Now sistah, that’s what I’m talking about! You got the vibe and you know how to use it! 😜 For the rest of this week, live with boldness! Love, peace, hugs, and plenty of smooches! 😍💋😘🌺🥰💖🤗
Happy belated Birthday, Selma! And a most excellent sonnet to commemorate it <3