Like many of you, I begin my day with the morning news. I want to stay informed, so like any unpleasant task, I prefer to just get it over with. I do find reading the news, rather than turning on the television, less of an auditory and visual assault on my senses. One morning this week, I came across the word war so many times, I unconsciously began reciting a favorite poem…
Hug O’ War
by Shel Silverstein
I will not play at tug o’ war
I’d rather play at hug o’ war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles
And everyone wins
The poem’s hopeful message made me smile while I processed the woeful news of the day. I laughed out loud at the thought of Republicans and Democrats rolling around on the floor with world leaders in a giant tickle fight. It affected my mood in such a positive way that I now have a new morning routine. First the news, then the Wordle, then a poem. Like Mary Poppins’ spoonful of sugar, a beautiful poem tempers the distastefulness of the news, and helps me start my day in the most delightful way. §
“Reading poetry is an adventure in renewal, a creative act,
a perpetual beginning, a rebirth of wonder.”
~ Edward Hirsch
The Simple Swan 
My favorite little refrain comes from an Indie musician I have followed for years. He wrote a very politically charged album then followed it up with an album entitled “11 Obscenely Optomistic Songs”. The song that is stuck in my head to this day is called “Everybody Gets a Kitten”.
Gotta say the futures awesome Everything is A OK There is no more war or hunger Everyday is Saturday Everybody loves their neighbor And goes around in flying cars
But the coolest thing by far
Is
Everybody gets a kitten A new one every single day Everybody gets a kitten You can name if you want Or you can give it away……
by Jeremy Messersmith
This tune and the image of delighted people flying around sharing kittens is a little mantra that is imbeded in my head. It puts things in perspective for me in some weird way.
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I LOVE LOVE LOVE this. (Mr. Darcy is purring on my lap.) Thank you for sharing. Have a very happy Thanksgiving, Alma. ❤ Alicia
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Ahhh yes, a peaceful quiet morning sets the tone for the day. Coffee, cellphone and tv local news and daily devotional. Didn’t realize I had such a ritual. I like poems but never thought about starting the day with readings. Might have to add th
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Poetry is like a daily devotional – good for the soul! Love to you all. ❤
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