I would rather

“I would rather …” was that an e.e. cummings poem? I remember the emotion of reading it for the first time — “I would rather … than teach a thousand stars how not to shine.” Was that it? It took my breath away.

I love when words do that — move in your heart and say a hopeful thought. Add to the beauty in the world. I love when words do that. I would rather be a single Elwood P. Dowd than a thousand nattering nabobs sneering into the dark.

I would, wouldn’t I? Then why am I drawn to be sour sometimes, and snarky and hopeless? Yes, I try to be encouraging with my words and phrases, but sometimes I am writing my way out of discouragement. I confess, the hopeful words can be as much for me as meant for you, dear reader.

Give me a bright sunrise full of hopes and dreams for a new day, or a rainbow sunset full of gratitude and satisfaction, than a sky full of clouds and regrets. I have felt both, and spirits lifting is a lot more fun, a lot more comforting, a lot deeper, a lot longer-lasting.

Give me hope. Give me peace. Give me this day our daily bread. Please.

P.S. I looked it up: “I’d rather learn from one bird how to sing than teach 10,000 stars how not to dance.” — from “you shall above all things be glad and young” — Oh my.

Published by WarrenBluhm

Wordsmith and podcaster, Warren is a reporter, editor and storyteller who lives near the shores of Green Bay with his wife, two golden retrievers, Dejah and Summer, and Blackberry, an insistent cat. Author of It's Going to Be All Right, Echoes of Freedom Past, Full, Refuse to be Afraid, Gladness is Infectious, 24 flashes, How to Play a Blue Guitar, Myke Phoenix: The Complete Novelettes, A Bridge at Crossroads, The Imaginary Bomb, A Scream of Consciousness, and The Imaginary Revolution.

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