Gratitude--By Aju Mukhopadhyay--India

Gratitude

Though a prideful person harms, we usually thank the helper

As a sign of courtesy, we thank the people beforehand

In expectation of their generous behavior

Thanks-giving is a polite mark, a festive standard

Though it may seem a formal or dutiful posture

Fact is that it is a generous gesture;   

The thing that brings an inner change is gratitude

Which from the heart spontaneously exude

Gratefulness to the God with true humility

Is the highest gratitude born out of true faith in the Divinity.

Aju Mukhopadhyay, an Indian bilingual award winning poet, author and critic, has authored 34 books; 12 books of poems including two books of Japanese short verses, five books of short stories and a novel. He writes travelogue, on animals and nature. He has contributed many essays in books and journals; literary and environmental. His poems and short stories have been widely anthologized.