“Bounty” by Robyn Sarah

~ jama

“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.” ~ Maya Angelou

BOUNTY
by Robyn Sarah

Make much of something small.
The pouring-out of tea,
a drying flower's shadow on the wall
from last week's sad bouquet.
A fact: it isn't summer any more.

Say that December sun
is pitiless, but crystalline
and strikes like a bell.
Say it plays colours like a glockenspiel.
It shows the dust as well,

the elemental sediment
your broom has missed,
and lights each grain of sugar spilled
upon the tabletop, beside
pistachio shells, peel of a clementine.

Slippers and morning papers on the floor,
and wafts of iron heat from rumbling rads,
can this be all? No, look — here comes the cat,
with one ear inside out.
Make much of something small.

~ from A Day's Grace (Porcupine's Quill, 2003)

*

This contemplative gem by Canadian poet Robyn Sarah is such a lovely meditation on gratitude.

What a beautiful reminder that despite lives often overwhelmed by rush and stress (especially during the holidays), we’re all blessed with a bounty of small miracles.

Focussing on the everyday, the ordinary, what often goes unnoticed — has been my default practice for many years. I enjoyed Robyn Sarah’s vivid images and sensory details (she began with “the pouring-out of tea”)! And how beautiful is that crystalline December sun that strikes like a bell? 

Now, in the spirit of the season, make much of something adorable: “Merry Christmas, Happy New Year” by Ingrid Michaelson and Zoey Deschanel (amazing felt creations by Andrea Love, set and character design by Phoebe Wahl). Stop motion animation at its finest. The entire team did a great job with this. So charming — see if you don’t feel like hugging yourself from all the cuteness. 🙂

*

Cathy Mere is hosting the Roundup at Merely Day by Day. Skip on over to check out the full menu of poetic goodness being shared around the blogosphere this week. See you next Friday for a big Outlander holiday celebration! 🙂

*

*Copyright © 2021 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.

35 thoughts on ““Bounty” by Robyn Sarah”

  1. Oh, that cat! I love it…and the mood that poem puts me in for the day. What a generous post of thinking seeds. They are planted, Jama. Thank you

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Thanks for Robyn Sarah’s “Bounty” poem and all the importance in “Make much of something small,” which can lift us and fill us full inside! And the creative and live animation, my daughter is working on an animation project now with puppets and I really appreciate all that goes into this kind of art! ^^ Sending Cheers to you too Jama!

    Liked by 2 people

  4. What a wonderful, mindful poem. Thank you for sharing this and introducing me to this new-to-me poet! I’ve bookmarked this as one to come back to.

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Thank you Jama for the adorable YouTube! And thank you for all the joy, beauty and knowledge you bring to us in each of your wonderful blog posts. Wishing you happy holidays and happiness in the new year! ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I enjoy watching birds too. We don’t feed them anymore because of the squirrels, but enjoy spotting them whenever possible. I like hearing owls at night!

      Like

  8. Oh Jama, the poem’s going to be on my wall. I have “wafts of iron heat from rumbling rads” right now! And that video, priceless. I think I will subscribe to them & will send to Ingrid who is at an art school & her major is film. I don’t think she’s had a stop-motion class but am sure this will be inspiring! Have a lovely weekend!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. We do need to be reminded, time to time, to take note and be fully present to what’s right in front of us. Poets are so good at this.

      Like

  13. That video was so sweet. I can’t wait to show it to my granddaughter to see what she thinks. This poem is beautiful as well. There’s something about the sound of that second stanza that is going to bring me back again and again.

    Liked by 2 people

  14. I love the poem – but I have to admit, the video just made my week! I watched it with my daughter, Phoebe, who was thrilled to know someone else has her name, ha! (And she knows Zooey Deschanel from the movie “Elf”) Thanks, Jama!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Glad to hear your daughter liked the video. Have you shared Phoebe Wahl’s picture books with her? If I remember correctly, your Phoebe is quite the artist, right? She might really enjoy P. Wahl’s picture book art if she hasn’t already seen it. 🙂

      Like

  15. A gentle reminder to take note of small details in our day, Jama.-‘Make much of something small’ is the perfect last line. The casting of a poet’s eye can haul in treasure others may miss.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. “Make much of something small” — oh, yes, this is my life and how beautifully she puts it. This poem, like that December sun, is “crystalline and strikes like a bell.” Gorgeous.

    And that video! LOVE Ingrid Michaelson. How is that stop-motion?? It’s so smooth and amazing. I can’t imagine what went into creating that little-enormous experience. xo

    Liked by 2 people

  18. Pingback: 2021 Poetry Friday Archive | Jama's Alphabet Soup

Comments are closed.