Salt of the Sea

“Have you ever cried in sheer gratitude for all you  have?” In this week of Thanksgiving, these poetic words remind us of the power of being grateful. From Scott Terrell, contributor to the mystic poetry collection, “Essential Astonishments.”

Salt of the Sea

Have you ever cried with sheer gratitude
for all you have?
For all that has been seemingly withheld?

Have you cried in gratitude 
for a friend who thinks of you,
prays for you, holds you in their faith 
when you have none of your own?

Have you cried for the possessions
that support your way of life, ones
that most in the world know nothing about?

Have you ever cried with complete acceptance 
of everything just the way it is?

Have you ever cried because the 
vast lonely that you feel 
is far better than a heartbreak 
grounded in accepting less than you deserve?

Have you cried with gratitude for your family 
that somehow accepts you in unconditional understanding 
that you are perfect just as you are?

Have you cried in absolute peace despite the conditions 
of a seemingly intolerable condition of your life?

Have you cried in joy knowing that
in spite of your ego, all is well?

I am crying tonight.
I will cry tomorrow. 
I will cry for you.
Love is all there is.

My tears blend with the salt of the sea.
They are in good company.
Somewhere in that ocean,
the tears of the Beloved join with my own.

—Scott A. Terrell

Excerpted from “Essential Astonishments: Poetic Reflections for Awakening” by Gina Mazza (November 1, 2023).  Available on Amazon and booksellers worldwide. LINK TO ORDER: https://www.amazon.com//dp/B0CLKW8JJ9/