I find Gratitude

There’s those days I wonder what my purpose is in life”

Why I was here and why I was consumed with fear.

I fell asleep obsessing on what the next day would possess.

And what else would the world confess to me.

And how many more awful things will I have to see, with all of the world’s diversities.

I swam thru life like a seed in the womb, anxiously awaiting exposure.

Like a butterfly in its cocoon.

Like the unknown on the moon.

I’m overwhelmed with anxiety and uneducated stares from society, because of my sobriety.

I was just a girl trying to find herself.

I was lost.

I saw women my age, so strong.

Meanwhile everything in my life felt all wrong.

Most days I was so angry I couldn’t even think.

And by each passing moment I sank deeper and deeper into the darkest part of life.

The part I have become strong enough to fight.

I find gratitude when I see the homeless sleeping under a bridge, and people living like pigs.

I myself have been places a rat wouldn’t go.

And had been knee deep homeless in the snow.

I find gratitude when I see babies born to AIDS, and how afraid they must feel.

I find gratitude when I think of the mothers, and guilt will kill.

And if these truths are giving you chills, then you know how I feel.

I feel gratitude when I think of women who have been killed for the taste of the thrill.

I feel gratitude when I think of crack addicted babies with that constant cry.

Doctors working hard, but millions still die.

I find gratitude every time I pick up a pen.

And express today, I won’t let the darkest part of life win.

I find gratitude when I think of the people who have lost their minds.

Walking in the wilderness trying to catch up with the time.

I find gratitude because I have somewhat of a clear mind.

Still a little lost…

But the hope is I am trying to find.

I find gratitude when I hear the birds sing.

I used to hate the noise, now I understand the reason they sing.

I find gratitude every time I feel the sun.

I got another day clean and I’m going to get another one.

I find gratitude when I think of what I have been through.

I am finally happy, joyous and free.

And you can be too.

Thank you, Gratitude.

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without prior written consent from the author, except brief quotes used in reviews.

ISBN: 978-0-9834455-2-4

First Printing September 2011

Printed in the United States of America

Cover Design by: Junnita Jackson

This is a work of Poetry. It is not meant to depict, portray or represent any particular real persons. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Contact Latoya Harris:

Email: latoyaharris98@yahoo.com