Religion

Gratitude

by Henry van Dyke 1852–1933

From The Poems of Henry van Dyke (1925)

Religion

"Do you give thanks for this?--or that?" No, God be thanked
I am not grateful
In that cold, calculating way, with blessings ranked
As one, two, three, and four,--that would be hateful.

I only know that every day brings good above
My poor deserving;
I only feel that in the road of Life true Love
Is leading me along and never swerving.

Whatever gifts and mercies to my lot may fall,
I would not measure
As worth a certain price in praise, or great or small;
But take and use them all with simple pleasure.

For when we gladly eat our daily bread, we bless
The Hand that feeds us;
And when we tread the road of Life in cheerfulness,
Our very heart-beats praise the Love that leads us.

✦ ✦ ✦

From "Songs of Hearth and Altar".

MLA

Dyke, Henry van. “Gratitude.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/vandyke/73/.

Chicago

Dyke, Henry van. “Gratitude.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/vandyke/73/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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