It does no good to stare it down
Or rail against the river's rise.
The river’s got no shame or sense
Nor does it fear your eyes.
You can neither curse the gorge
Nor dance the flood away.
So thank the river; thank the rain;
Thank God’s blessing in disguise.
It brings the topsoil rich and dense,
Lays down a precious prize.
So we can either thank the Heavens
Or maybe miss the point.
Yet always in the midst of pain
My mind and spirit would capsize.
Depression crushed my mind’s defense
‘Till flooding made me realize
That trouble forces me to think,
And thought can make me wise.
A contest entry
- October New Member's Contest by AP Greeters.
600 points, ended November 6, 2008, 57 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Affirmations by Judith Chandler.
650 points, ended October 29, 2008, 14 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Good Pre Writes With No Trophies by lindaburns.
2100 points, ended November 11, 2008, 28 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Depression Resolved through Poetry ---- Winner Take All by Melissa Burns.
400 points, ended November 10, 2008, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 25 of 25
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What a truely amazin write! Your idea really worked , great work!
Best of luck in the contest! -
Very Good
I really enjoyed this poem it made you think about things that are not what we consider beautiful, but to find the beauty in all things. Like the rain...Many people get pissed off with it, but looking at it the way you do, it makes it all make sense everything has its purpose...Thank you!
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I really enjoyed this poem.
Yet always in the midst of pain
My mind and spirit would capsize.
Depression crushed my mind’s defense
‘Till flooding made me realize
That trouble forces me to think,
And thought can make me wise.
I just brought my son home from the hospital yesterday for his bi-polar he was gone for 2 weeks but even in my pain I realized I was learning. You struck a cord with me thank you for sharing!
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I really enjoyed reading this poem, the stle reminds me of someone on here I enjoy reading. ANYWAYS thanks for the entry, i enjoyed it
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JUDGE:
When I commented on this October 25th, I said
"“
In all things, give thanks” Your poem is short and to the point. It shows a certain down-to-earth attitude and looks to see the good in a thing that might well have not-good 
consequences as well. Good luck in the contest."
Good luck in this additional contest, as well.
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I think this a wonderful poem, sir; the last stanza being my favorite part.
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Hi,
I would just like to wish you the best of luck
in the contest
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welcome to all poetry
Hi patrick20traveler
Good poem poet
i like the sublte rhyming you have throughout the poem thank you for entering and good luck in the contest
Barbara
site greeter
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Welcome to AllPoetry
I thought this was an interesting poem. Water is a blessing. We need it to survive. Too much water in form of floods is not a good thing. Also, may I make a suggestion? Please include the option number in your author notes. Thiis little step helps the judges out immensely.
Lady Altheia
site greeter -
Perhaps there is a cycle of some kind. I seem to be through it now but for a while I was struggling. Thank you for taking the time to notice and thanks for your entry in my contest.
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Welcome to AllPoetry!
“In all things, give thanks” Your poem is short and to the point. 
It shows a certain down-to-earth attitude and looks to see the good in a thing that might well have not-good consequences as well. Good luck in the contest.
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Thanks for reading and your comments. It's short because I am struggling with the third stanza which is about bipolar depression and how it can lead a person to greater wisdom.
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Welcome to Allpoetry
This is a different take on the prompt, and more thanks should be given there. Wonderful write, good luck.
♥
whisper
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Welcome To Allpoetry
Hi patrick20traveler
Enjoyed the read more so because we are in drought in Australia so this poem made me wish that i could thank the heavens for a descent rainfall. Great work. Good luck in the contest and keep writing
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Welcome to Allpoetry
I really like your take on this... The message within your words is a powerful one; that we should be grateful for our blessings, instead of cursing that which we do not have.
My favourite bit was this one:
"The river’s got no shame or sense
Nor does it fear your eyes
You can neither curse the gorge
Nor dance the flood away."
This reminds me a lot of a quote I love:
"Instead of cursing the thorns on roses, why not be grateful that there are roses on thorns."
(or something to that effect... my brain is mush right now
)
Welcome aboard!
Laura, aka Immortal
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Thank you, Laura.
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welcome to allpoetry
I did not read this before your edits but I do like what you have now. The message behind your words and the way it's written out. I especially liked your last two lines. Thank you for the smile.
Best of luck to you in the contest.
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Hold that smile. Thank you.
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Welcome to AllPoetry!
The meaning in this is wonderful- and true, because so many do seem to miss the point. I do think though, the line a precious prize, just doesn;t fit. It is too short in comparison to the other lines and really throws the flow of this iff. Other than that, nicely done.
Welcome to AP and good luck in the contest.
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Yours is the kind of feedback that is truly helpful. You are absolutely correct in observing that the meter of that line did not match the meter in line 4 of the previous stanza. I think I fixed it with "Lays down a precious prize." Does that work for you?
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Welcome to Allpoetry
when poeple forget to thank fellow men these days, it is indeed very humane.. very kind of you to stop and thank the rain and the river That shows the true poet in you!! Very good.. Keep it up..
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Welcome To All Poetry
I like how you have written about apperciating nature. People take it for granted too often. Very creative twist. Thanks for sharing and best of luck in the contest.
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Welcome to Allpoetry
Hello Patrick,
The line "nor fears your eyes", I think would fit better as "nor does it fear your eyes". I think this poem could benefit from some revision. I love the idea and message the poem sends, but feel that the delivery was a not as strong as the message.
One of the lines that I didnt think fit was "you can neither curse the thing". I think "the thing" doesnt really compliment the ideal you are expressing and I think the flow would benefit if this line was revised.
I think you are sharing a good message. Good luck in the contest.
Criss -
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Thanks for your help. I incorporated your suggestions "nor does it fear your eyes" which I thought was much better than the original. I'm giving a lot of thought to your thought on "the thing" and want to come up with some kind of change there also. I appreciate your taking the time to help me. Mahalo plenty.
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Welcome to Allpoetry!
I really like the take on the first prompt this is a beautiful poem with such a strong message in it - I love the ending line, it adds a playful twist I wish you the best of luck in the contest!
Keep writing
Polly
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