Bad Day?

From the minute I thought of that awful scene,

I felt kind of strange. You might even say mean.

I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream,

This is not the day or life I dreamed.

I got up and dressed and got ready to eat,

But became more angry when I sat in my seat.

My ultra-loud thoughts adding more heat.

With every second, I’m feeling more beat.

“Why, why, why is this happening to me?

Rejection and bad luck is all I can see.

People not lettin’ me be who I want to be.

One good break is all I need.

My mind was so blown, I went for a walk.

I saw a squirrel dancing who started to talk.

“Hello, kind lady! What a beautiful day!

“Stay here a while and play, play, play!”

I turned up my nose and said, “Out of my way!”

There’s nothing so beautiful about this day.

Nothing to dance about. Nothing to play.

So to you I have, nothing more to say!”

“You have it all wrong”, the squirrel said so loud.

There’s plenty to love. Just look around.

At the flowers, the sun, the birds and the ground.

They give warmth and light and beauty and sound.”

Then the squirrel smiled with a twinkle in his eye.

“And don’t forget your clothes that keep you dry.

Or your legs and your feet that take you back home.

All these are gifts, without a smidgen of groan.“

I really tried hard to keep up my bad mood.

But the squirrel had turned my hot head cool.

There was much to be thankful for this very day.

My heart filled with love - suddenly all was okay.

I jumped and I skipped back to my house.

I felt light as a feather and playful as a mouse.

No matter what happens, good or bad,

There is much to give thanks, and make me feel glad.

(To watch a video reading of this poem, visit my YouTube Channel.)