Gratitude (left behind)

Naomi Garrett

Naomi Garrett

Age 18+ category | Spring into Poetry Contest 2025 | San José Public Library

When my grandmother holding on to only half her mind  
(the other half still resting under the willow in Kentucky)  
found she could not form words for our prying questions could not muster greetings or goodbyes (though the latter was never permanent for her, not until)  
she replied only in "thank you"  
greeting the world "thank you"  
whispered soft "thank you"  
no matter how the thorns pricked all she said (softly)  
"Thank you"  
"Thank you"  
"Thank you" 
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