Gratitude Poem by ivory simone

GRATITUDE
By Ivory Simone
1.
I hear the flutter of angel wings
when a stranger pulls me to safety
holds me steady on the curb
to let a bus ramble pass

Adrenaline pumps through my veins
I feel light enough to float
standing on tippy-toes, I stretch up
ready to break free of gravity
to be swept away by the rapture
contained in a single, affirming thought:
I have been spared.

In the still of the night, my flame burns bright
not because of me but thee, Dear Lord
not because of me but thee.


2,

To feel the scaly coils of an unclean thing
inch across your belly, raises welts
leaves you scratching

Yet, I held this creature to my breast,
bewitched, surely my moorings have come undone,
fingers unseen accuse me of countless failings,
of truths too terrible to face

Exposed, I shrink from the light but it finds me,
washing away the filth to reveal a shiny black pearl,
gratitude, bursting from my heart.

Joy fills me, standing on tippy-toes,
I stretch up ready to break free of gravity
to be swept away by the rapture
contained in a single, affirming thought:
I have been delivered.

In the still of the night, my enemy takes flight
not because of me but thee, Dear Lord
not because of me but thee.