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The Greatest Gift of All

To wake and find I still can see and feel
And know deep down what is and isn’t real.
To weep when all I’ve planned is ground to sand
Yet somehow find once more the strength to stand.
To hold my tongue despite a fit of rage
Because Your wisdom bids me to be sage.
To sing a song of happiness despite
The fact that life seems one unending fight.
To trust the truth in all that I believe
Despite the harsh rejection I receive.
To smile despite the coming of the rain
With confidence the sun will shine again.
To visit countries, relish foods I crave
Before my range is narrowed to the grave.
To shout at rank injustice, to condemn
The evil-doers, grateful I’m not them.
To see age strip my life bare of untruth
Yet never mourn the paling loss of youth.
To gaze out at the sea in gasping wonder.
To feel my pulse race from explosive thunder
And shiver with deep awe at Nature’s might.
To fall and yet stand up again and fight.
To write a canticle, to strike a gong,
To raise a fist and shout at all that’s wrong.
To breathe relief that some things are worth saving.
To grasp enduring insights worth engraving
Upon the heart and stored within the mind.
To find hope in an icy, death-shrill wind.
To cherish every sand-grain, every star.
To love You, knowing deep down who You are.
On this Thanksgiving Day to be aware
That You live in all times and everywhere,
In galaxies and my immortal soul.
I know without You I would not be whole.
I’m ready now at last to heed Your call—
For You, God, are the Greatest Gift of All!

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Brian Yapko is a retired lawyer whose poetry has appeared in over fifty journals.  He is the winner of the 2023 SCP International Poetry Competition. Brian is also the author of several short stories, the science fiction novel El Nuevo Mundo and the gothic archaeological novel  Bleeding Stone.  He lives in Wimauma, Florida.

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31 Responses

  1. Cheryl A Corey

    A beautiful poem, Brian. One of my favorite lines is “Before my range is narrowed to the grave.”

    Reply
  2. Joseph S. Salemi

    May God bless you, Brian, for this beautiful poem on the Day of Thanksgiving.

    Reply
    • Brian A. Yapko

      Joe, may God bless you and your loved ones as well. Thank you for this kind comment and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

      Reply
  3. Dan Tuton

    Brian, you’ve done it again! This poem erupts with gratitude for being fully alive and being fully cognizant of the One from whom all blessings flow! Beautiful!

    Reply
    • Brian A. Yapko

      Thank you so much, Fr. Dan! And for your very appropriate reference to the Doxology! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

      Reply
    • Brian A. Yapko

      Thank you for this very generous comment, Michael. I endeavor to keep classical poetry alive and will cherish the idea of this poem as a hymn. I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  5. Paul A. Freeman

    I was just procrastinating when I came upon your poem. It’s sent me back to my fourth hour of novel editing today, so I’ve taken heed!

    Reply
    • Brian A. Yapko

      Always glad if my poetry can offer some inspiration, Paul! I hope you got your editing done to your satisfaction. I imagine Thanksgiving is not celebrated as a national holiday in your neck of the woods, but I nonetheless hope you found much to be grateful for!

      Reply
  6. Roy Eugene Peterson

    I inhaled your sentiments and erstwhile sincerity. So much truth emanating from your poem. and heartfelt words. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply
    • Brian A. Yapko

      Thank you so much, Roy. Heartfelt down to my soul. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  7. Margaret Coats

    Brian, thanks to you as our host. You’ve served up abundance including instructive awareness of God as the One to whom superabundant thanks are due for everything we enjoy.

    Reply
    • Brian A. Yapko

      Thank you so much, Margaret! God is the One to whom all gratitude is due and I’m glad we get to share that gratitude. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  9. Yael

    Happy Thanksgiving to you Brian, and everyone here at the SCP. I’m thankful for your beautiful poem which has brightened my evening, as it’s getting dark and cold outside. Your poetry is a real blessing to behold.

    Reply
    • Brian A. Yapko

      Thank you so much, Yael! And I’m grateful for your comment and that my poem warmed you a little as the day darkens and chills. And I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  10. T. M. Moore

    Brian: My favorite line:

    To shout at rank injustice, to condemn
    The evil-doers, grateful I’m not them.

    A wonderful Thanksgiving catalog, very well crafted. Thanks, Brian.

    T. M.

    Reply
    • Brian A. Yapko

      Thank you so much for this kind comment T.M. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  11. Warren Bonham

    I’m getting caught up after a couple of days of consumerism and just read this summary of what Thanksgiving should be all about. Thanks for putting everything into context so well!

    Reply
  12. Shamik Banerjee

    Your deep sense of gratitude abounds in this magnificent poem, Brian. Thank you so much. I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving.

    Reply
    • Brian A. Yapko

      Thank you so much, Shamik. My gratitude is profound. My Thanksgiving was indeed blessed and, if you celebrate, I hope yours was as well. And even if you don’t celebrate, I hope you enjoy much to be grateful for!

      Reply
  13. C.B. Anderson

    You can’t keep a good man down. The gravy here contains every necessary ingredient and goes well with everything else on the platter.

    Reply
    • Brian A. Yapko

      Much appreciated, C.B. Thank you and you’re right about that cranberry sauce! We take leftover cranberries and make them into a cobbler which extends the indulgence of the holiday beyond all reason.

      Reply
  14. Adam Sedia

    I detect a whiff of Kipling’s “If” here, a beautiful summation of how dealing with life’s blows well is true nobility — except here you give credit where credit is due. This was a delight to read.

    Reply
    • Brian A. Yapko

      Adam, I’m so happy that you read and enjoyed this poem! To be candid, I have never read Kipling’s “If.” I just a took a few moments to do so and now I must express my gratitude to you. I think “If” is a new favorite of mine. It says so much about good character. This was a gift. Thank you.

      Reply
  15. David Whippman

    Brian, thanks for this inspiring poem. It reminded me of a piece from the Torah (maybe a psalm of David) which proclaims God as both the maker of everything and the personal saviour of each individual person.

    Reply
  16. Brian A. Yapko

    This is such a beautiful comment, David! Thank you — especially for the reference to the Torah. Your words definitely sound evocative of some of King David’s Psalms.

    Reply

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