What a Wonderful World – a poem by Sr Joan Polak, ND
As I was thinking about the trip, a song of Louis Armstrong came to memory and I take license to adapt it to my thoughts and feelings.
I saw trees of green covering the mountains,
skies of blue and clouds of white,
and I said to myself what a wonderful world.
I saw colors of rainbow in birds drifting by,
a moon growing to fullness and stars studding the sky,
and I said to myself what a wonderful world.
I saw pick axes, shovels, and bags of sand,
rocks and bricks moved to valley below, pipes being laid to bring refreshing water,
and I said to myself what a wonderful world.
I saw tortillas and frijoles being eaten,
sustenance for the body, had cold showers
after hard work under scorching sun,
and I said to myself what a wonderful world.
I saw faces of people all shades of the earth,
friendships blooming like the flowers brilliant against the sky,
and I said to myself what a wonderful world.
I saw the tears of joy and those of sorrow,
and smiles brilliant as the sun brightening the day,
and I said to myself what a wonderful world.
I heard the sharing each evening, revealing of self hidden in words,
expressions of love and caring.
and I said to myself what a wonderful world.
Looking at this wonderful world, words of another song came to mind: “Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee. How great Thou art. How great Thou art.” Thank you Creator God. All things belong to You. I belong to You.
Spread Joy to Sr Joan and all Notre Dame SIsters!
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This season, we are asking for people to buy a gift directly for a Notre Dame Sister. Using our Amazon Wish List, you can participate in #GivingTuesday402 and get something great for a Sister that she wouldn’t ordinarily purchase for herself.