National Poetry Month and Poetry Friday: Joy Awaits 16 of 30

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Joy Awaits

Some say joy hides
tucked inside 
the smallest of places,
hard to find,
difficult to hold.

Joy doesn't shout
or dance around you.
It doesn't demand 
that you look at it 
or make itself known.

So let me give you
some tips,
dear friend,
to help you find joy
in your busy days. 

Joy is waiting
in little moments 
unexpected
as you walk 
your daily path.

Joy can be found 
hanging out with your friends,
laughing at their jokes,
listening to their stories,
joining in their fun.

Joy stays in your house,
drinking coffee,
reading books in your living room,
resting in tiny spaces,
right there for you.

Joy can be found
at the end of your day
in quiet pauses
as you look back:
memorable moments.

You see, dear friend,
joy walks beside you,
waiting for you to notice;
the ever steady 
companion. 

© Cathy L. Mere, 2021



It's Poetry Friday!  Today's roundup is hosted by Jama Rattigan at Jama's Alphabet Soup. Stop by to enjoy some poetry and/or leave a link. 



It's National Poetry Month. This year, I selected "CHOOSE JOY" as my One Little Word Phrase. Since I'm on the lookout for JOY, it makes sense to share a poem each day this month about what I find. 



Comments

  1. Bridget MageeApril 16, 2021 at 8:59 AM

    I love the idea that joy is "the ever steady companion" - there is comfort in that...and in your poem, Cathy. Thanks for sharing. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CathyApril 17, 2021 at 8:37 AM

      As I have been looking for her, I seem to find she is always right there if I just pay better attention.

      Delete
  2. SharonApril 16, 2021 at 11:06 AM

    What a great poem!!!! You have truly captured joy..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CathyApril 17, 2021 at 8:38 AM

      I'm not sure you can capture here. (wink, wink) Maybe you can....

      Delete
  3. jamaApril 16, 2021 at 12:45 PM

    Yes! Love the sentiment in your poem, Cathy. We all need only to take the time to pay attention to find joy. Here's to those quiet moments, too often overlooked.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Irene LathamApril 16, 2021 at 2:20 PM

    Joy walks beside you. Yes! Thank you for your poem! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CathyApril 17, 2021 at 8:38 AM

      It's nice to know she's always there....just waiting.

      Delete
  5. Linda BApril 16, 2021 at 8:49 PM

    Yes, "that steady companion" has kept me well this past year, Cathy. Lovely celebratory poem!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CathyApril 17, 2021 at 8:39 AM

      Yes, Linda, I think we have all had to remind ourselves she is there this year. I'm grateful that when I just stop for a second I realize she is right there.

      Delete
  6. CathyApril 17, 2021 at 8:39 AM

    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. author amokApril 17, 2021 at 10:20 AM

    Thank you for this poem, Cathy. My grandmother's name was Joy. You could have been describing a visit to her house with this stanza:

    drinking coffee,
    reading books in your living room,
    resting in tiny spaces,
    right there for you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Rose CappelliApril 17, 2021 at 11:47 AM

    Love the personification of joy in your poem, Cathy. Such a comforting feel!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Janice ScullyApril 17, 2021 at 4:23 PM

    So well said. Happiness is definitely in the small things.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Buffy SilvermanApril 17, 2021 at 5:16 PM

    Love this: Joy is waiting in little unexpected moments...

    ReplyDelete
  11. KatApel - katswhiskers.wordpress.comApril 17, 2021 at 7:10 PM

    This poem is a perfect expansion of your phrase, choose joy. Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  12. skanny17April 17, 2021 at 7:50 PM

    Joy makes life so much better and your lovely poem shows that it can be in seemingly ordinary places, if you just notice. I liked these lines:
    tucked inside
    the smallest of places,
    and
    resting in tiny spaces,
    right there for you.

    Janet Clare F.

    ReplyDelete
  13. CarolApril 17, 2021 at 10:44 PM

    I love this!!! Like several others, I love the idea of joy as a steady companion! Perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownApril 18, 2021 at 1:03 PM

    Love your poem. A great reminder to pay attention.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Carol VarsalonaApril 18, 2021 at 2:29 PM

    Joy does walk beside us Cathy is we but pause. Thanks for the reminder.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Kortney GarrisonApril 18, 2021 at 5:23 PM

    I love the idea of joy tucked inside our days, like pollen in your lovely photo!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Christie WymanApril 20, 2021 at 2:24 PM

    We just need to stop, look, listen, and feel. Joy is everywhere. So lovely, Cathy.

    ReplyDelete

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