Gratitude

This is the poem that appeared in my inbox today (from "Poem-a-Day," from the Academy of American Poets). Somehow, it seemed particularly apt for this glorious morning, mirroring in its peaceful and contented attitude the sunshine, the birds, and the breeze:

Variation on a Theme

by W. S. Merwin

Thank you my life long afternoon
late in this spring that has no age
my window above the river
for the woman you led me to
when it was time at last the words
coming to me out of mid-air
that carried me through the clear day
and come even now to find me
for old friends and echoes of them
those mistakes only I could make
homesickness that guides the plovers
from somewhere they had loved before
they knew they loved it to somewhere
they had loved before they saw it
thank you good body hand and eye
and the places and moments known
only to me revisiting
once more complete just as they are
and the morning stars I have seen
and the dogs who are guiding me