Lena, On Gratitude

Dear God,

Thank you for corn. For
real corn, but mostly plastic
toy corn-on-the-cob.

Thank you for oatmeal,
biter biscuits, veggie puffs,
and for bananas.

Thank you for breast milk,
for the night light in my room,
for Brian Eno.

Thank you for crayons,
telephones, remote controls,
Baby Anbesol.

And Boudreaux’s Butt Paste.
Such marvelous inventions.
Thank you for swing sets.

For making the wind,
grass, leaves, dirt, and gravel. For
making me ticklish.

Thank you for the sling.
Thank you for my rainbow fish.
Thank you for Outside.

Thank you for my hands,
my voice, my feet, my toes - I
love to play with them.

Thank you for Mommy
And Daddy and those who throw
me up in the air.

And those who hold me,
hug me, squeeze, and love me.
For forehead kisses.

Thank you for Brother,
Who in the mornings, sings my
name and makes me laugh.

Thanks for the squirrel
in the yard, and the big red
dog that licks my face.