Gratitude An Enlightened Attitude Poem by Terence George Craddock

there are still people alive today who seek
wisdom who search for personal spiritual growth
their own enlightenment who honour sacred
life harbour love like a vast ocean in their hearts
for these people there is faith hope love to enrich
their world view to shine light in darkness
when evil souls perpetrate evil crimes
against chosen victims innocent humanity

there are still people who pray for world peace
who turn prayer wheels these people can be found
praying in temples churches mosques monasteries
shrines holy places the wilderness or in their homes
where they live sceptics atheists claim their prayers
are worthless because the world is not a perfect paradise
sceptics atheists do not believe in power of prayer
but what if they are wrong what if prayer does

make a difference what if prayer does change lives
restrict the amount of evil planned perpetrated allowed
on earth consider those that seek peace often attain
measures of peace security comfort wisdom which
ferments less worries troubles in their lives often
directly proportional to sustained strength of their applied

faith reliance upon their God or gods in scientific terms
this is accentuating the positive earthing refusing the negative
strange how a few radical atheists with their religious
belief there is no God rage incensed against an atheists
claim mythical God which atheists do not believe in
with an agenda demonic intensity in denial but ignore
all other mythical creatures claimed known not to exist
such as the tooth fairy easter bunny jack frost which stir

not even a mild reaction strange such atheist reactions
to a supreme creator God they claim does not exist
there are mantras various prayers words of wisdom written
in many major religions often in inspiring wisdom words
in energised poetry these prayers mantras alter thought
pattern processes the thought is father to the deed

we are slaves to thought what we think believe affirm
becomes entwined in personality we act in response
to thoughts we harbour dwell on give our time energy
power of thoughts to we can will become in time what
we believe today if life long sustained some will seek
peace in yoga meditation beautiful gentle places if such
places do not exist where we live we can create them
within the power of our own focused mind imagination

in a sanctuary of thoughts life changing thoughts

there are modern prayers words of wisdom
if we perceive a prayer can take many forms
even non traditional forms; now we shall turn
to a modern fresh mantra in response to the poem
'To All My Beautiful Poet Friends' by the poet
Terence George Craddock; the poet Denis Mair said
'Let us fully articulate our gratitude toward others
while we can still string words together' thus

the question the meaning the wisdom in these words
we find an appreciation for fellowship social interaction
with people in a social context the need to express
gratitude profoundly sincerely for the words the wisdom
which enriches our lives minds to be expressed in moments
of respect at the right time place least an appropriate
tribute is never made a prayer mantra can be a few
encouraging words sown into hearts receptive when

need arises if thought is indeed the father to deeds
and mental states then what we think how we think
becomes important negative thoughts are quicksand
which swallows the mind a choice is made to live
in fear hate rage anger cruelty revenge to be consumed
by demon thoughts which choke out beauty in life
all sunshine leaving monochrome black white grey
colourless images lives; think well a life of beauty

or a life of anger rage a self inflicted personal hell;


Terence George Craddock (Afterglows Echoes Of Starlight)
Copyright © Terence George Craddock