When I wrote my third book, Gather Seeds of Hope, the world as usual was going through a lot of turmoil. As I trudged through those challenging times while writing the poems and prose for this book, I found myself heading into a dismal place more often than I was comfortable. There were so many things happening in the world: the pandemic, inflation, war, families and friends battling about politics. The list goes on and on. Since we are starting a new year, and we are already off to a tumultuous start, I thought I would share the title poem of this book and give a little introduction to the book to hopefully focus on the good and positive things in life. After all, life is not all gloom and doom. There are many things to be grateful for in each day and each year and I hope this book and the poems inside help bring that to light.
My second book, Scatter Seeds of Kindness: Inspirational Poems and Short Stories about Life, Love, and the things that Shape Our Souls . . . was all about bringing out kindness whenever we can and spreading it around, as we never know what people are struggling with, either mentally or physically. Gather Seeds of Hope is about finding hope wherever you can, even when things seem dim, and holding it deep in your heart to help carry you through the low times. There are some dark topics in this book, such as regret, envy, death, and even a few poems that touch on suicide. But there are some lighter poems in here too, such as “The Dinner Party,” (https://thepracticalpoet.com/the-dinner-party-from-gather-seeds-of-hope/) which pokes a little fun at current events, and “Ode to Pilates,” which pays tribute to my favorite exercise method and the students who take my classes (I am a certified Pilates instructor.). Poems like “Best Friend” (https://thepracticalpoet.com/best-friend-from-gather-seeds-of-hope/) may get you to think a little bit about how we all allow our inner voice to speak to us. “A Letter to Yourself” or “Footprints on the World” (https://thepracticalpoet.com/footprints-on-the-world-from-gather-seeds-of-hope/) might prompt you to ponder the choices in life you have made thus far, and contemplate any future life changes. As with my second book, there are a few poems about the passage of time and how quickly life goes by.
Through it all, my goal and my hope with the poems and the accompanying prose in this book is that you take with you the message that we are all in the same boat, dealing with similar struggles day to day and throughout life. My wish is that just knowing you are not alone in how you are feeling will bring some peace, contentment, and perhaps hope you can hold onto, but also a little extra for you to pass around to others who may be in need.
I would love for you to check out the entire book at the Books tab above. If not, please check back to this blog because I post many poems here from Gather Seeds of Hope and my other books. I hope you find something in here that touches your heart and soul. To anyone who has ever felt like hope is fleeting . . . you are not alone.
Gather Seeds of Hope
It’s too easy in these trying times
To fall into despair
And forget that if you look around,
Hope is everywhere.
Hope is found in nature
And within the rising sun.
Hope is found in a brilliant sky
When at last the day is done.
Hope is found in a baby’s smile,
Or an old man’s toothless grin.
Hope spans generations
As new traditions begin.
Hope can be found at the dinner table
As a family shares a meal.
Hope exists between new lovers
With glances that they steal.
Hope is watching an eagle in flight,
Soaring so high and free.
Hope is found when a woman’s love
Gets down on bended knee.
Hope is there when your soul is touched
And a lump in your throat starts to form.
Hope is seen in the rainbow
That paints the sky after the storm.
Hope is in a graduate’s eyes
As he eagerly crosses the stage.
Hope is there when a voracious reader
Excitedly turns the page.
Hope is found in a teenage girl
As she receives her very first kiss.
Hope is present in all these things,
And yet it’s so easy to miss.
So scatter seeds of kindness,
But gather seeds of hope.
Let it strengthen your resilience;
Let it help you cope.
Gather all the seeds you can
And keep them near your heart.
Make a promise to yourself
That hope will never part
These are challenging times we are in
And hope can be quite rare.
But if you open up your heart
You will find it everywhere.
Let your blessings be your guide
And inhale gratitude.
Exhale hope into the world
And brighten up your mood.
Know that hope is alive and well;
It can get you through each day.
You just may change a life
By the hope you give away.
-K.A. Bloch-
