Gratitude: Two Hundred Short Poems

by A.H. Morris

Travel through the human condition with succinctly worded verses that linger long in your mind even after you've closed the book. These poems offer a different perspective and a lovely way to view the world.

Genres: Poetry

214 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2023

Reviews

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Won via goodreads giveaways,all my opinions are my own.
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3.5 stars 🌟

Lovely and moving poems, liked and connected with some more than others (those others weren't bad, just not my cuppa) but would read them again :).

Would recommend 👌 if you're new to poetry and want to slowly 🐌 dip your feet in to wade in✨️ or if you're a regular poetry reader too of course.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved these! I love being able to relax in the day with some short poetry that feeds the soul. These were beautiful and simple and just what I needed for a Saturday afternoon!

I liked how they actually weren’t just….I don’t know…they weren’t TOO simplistic. They all had great meaning behind them and it’s good to see a male poet when the poetry world seems to be dominated by women (I don’t have any issue with this as a woman, I love it) but men literally never like expressing their emotions and so when I read a 21st century male poet’s work, it’s actually great to see them express emotions.

[Paula Learmouth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here we have a mixture of two hundred short poems. I must say I do love books like this, that can be picked up and put down whenever you have a few minutes. I'm one of the old school that still writes letters and this is a book that will be used many time by myself, as I love to add a little something with my letters. With short poems full of emotions, simple to understand and beautifully wrote this is a book for anyone that loves poems that they can share.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous!

This book was won from a goodreads giveaway.
If you struggle analyzing poems, understanding them of many types, this book is not for you.
These are so beautifully written! It doesn't just take gratitude from one part or another it covers a wide range of places where people find gratitude.
I had to go back and read a couple over again because of how deep they connected with me.
One thing i did wish was instead of poem numbers there would be titles for each one. Other than that, magnificent poems.

[Bruce Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

better than most

Loved this collection - simple language - complex thoughts and emotions noted without pretentiousness - simply delightful. Morris is quite talented.

[PRISCILLA WADE MCWHORTER · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT

This book of poems reminds me of the, "A Line a Day" Diaries. Not in a bad way. I enjoyed the whole book. I found, while reading, that I was capturing glimpses of the author's life. I hardly ever experience this. That's the reason I mention it. As I was making note of the poems I related to, to include in this review, I began to jot down how I thought the author's biography could read. I am truly amazed that when I got to the end, and read the author's biography, that I was spot on. This was not from any keen observational skills I possess. (For instance: No matter how many Mystery/Thriller books I read. I can never figure out who the bad guy is.) It solely relied on just which poems this author chose to include in this book. I, myself, found that to be interesting. In turn, he could have given it a different title, one pertaining to a diary of journal. Maybe, " Snippets of My Life. "
Anyway...I narrowed down my favorites to pages: 3,10,15,27,35,42,45,76,136,190...and even though these spoke of death, 195-200...I liked them too.
You should read and choose your favorites.

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, maybe I am not much of a poetry person or this went completely over my head. Maybe it was just the wrong title for it, I thought I was getting poems about gratitude and maybe these were and again it went over my head but I didn’t grasp it.

I would have titled this Poems of Observations because that is what it felt like.

It was short and easy to read but unfortunately none of the poems resonated in me.

And Thank You Goodreads. I won this book in a giveaway.

[Colleen Downey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but not for me

I thought all the poems would be about gratitude, but now I see that's just the title of the book . The poems are short , some made me feel things other just confused me . Never read this author maybe that's his thing. Poems have their meanings to the writer and sometimes I am not sure we the reading are meant to understand fully.

[Kristine L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evocative and elegant, this contemplative collection of poetry makes a welcome companion for a quiet afternoon of introspection, an evening of reflection, or any time you'd like to take a few deep breaths and let your soul unwind.

Most of the poems in this thoughtful collection are short, as in ten lines or less. Although brief, most poems are also packed with emotion and insight, ably conveyed by beautiful writing and an elegant turn of a phrase or phrases.

Themes touched on include afternoon’s midriff. Defiance of hopelessness. Negligence. Grief. Joy. Loss. Spontaneity or anticipation? Solitude. Beauty. Sadness. Anxiety. Doubt and destiny. Surrender. Kindness, conflict, patience, and love. Also reconciliation and acceptance.

Gratitude: Two Hundred Short Poems captures deep emotion and profound observations in just a few short staccato stanzas per entry. The author’s command of the language is impressive and vast. There’s also an openness and a vulnerability to many of the poems that will draw readers in with a shared “You Are There” kind of flavor.

The writing style is intelligent, sensitive, and incandescent. It’s also subtle. The author doesn’t beat you over the head with meaning. He offers readers enough clues to connect the dots and allows you to ruminate and marinate in the verses and figure them out for yourself. Coupled with a robust vocabulary and a knack for creating vivid word pictures that virtually jump off the page and into your head and heart, this collection of poetry is quite an achievement. In fact, if the mere notion of “poetry” makes you break out in hives, give Gratitude a chance. It’s different. It’s fresh. It’s worth the time.

Finally, Gratitude: Two Hundred Short Poems can easily be read in an afternoon, preferably in front of a crackling fire with a hot cuppa. But this is not a book to be rushed. Or gulped down in a single sitting. It’s a thoughtful work that’s meant to be sipped and savored slowly, like fine wine. Indeed, readers are likely to return again and again for additional helpings of this finely crafted collection.

[Courtnee Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gratitude is A.H. Morris's book of poetry based on his daily meditations. Written in free verse, Morris pens two hundred poems that seem to chronicle his life until the end. Travel with the author through grief, forgiveness, peacefulness, spirituality, awareness, relationship problems, aging, and nostalgia. Most of the poems only fill a couple of lines, but they offer a complete thought.

A.H. Morris knows how to deliver short poems with ringing metaphors that will jar you. In every poet's work, there is a line that grabs the reader, but his brief poems hold the reader as they ponder the gravity of the words and the truth of the statements. To me, this piece was the most profound and left me to reflect on its significance: "In the black pit of night, I walk amongst demons disguised as ones I know and trust." Even the individuals who dissect the meaning behind the verses will understand their brilliance. The poems offer a different perspective and a mostly lovely way to view the world. Busy lives make it hard to devour the written word, but Morris has paved the way for readers to absorb his thoughts while they are on the subway, while waiting for an appointment, or just before or after sleeping. The reader senses Morris's thankfulness for a life full of joys and challenges as he offers his introspective writings. Gratitude is a great selection for readers who enjoy poems that resonate with them long after they've put down the book.

[Sophia Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.H. Morris’s Gratitude: Two Hundred Short Poems is a beautiful collection that captures the human condition in brief, yet powerful verses. Each poem feels like a small window into a larger truth, offering fresh perspectives on life, love, and the world around us. Despite their brevity, the words linger long after reading, inviting reflection and leaving the reader with a renewed sense of wonder and appreciation. A thoughtful and uplifting read for anyone who enjoys poetry that is both accessible and profound.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simple, gracious read

This read is perfect for anyone looking to get back into reading or journaling or someone needing a pick me up. Gratitude is something I often find myself using to get through my days, acknowledging the small wins. This read helped me get through the worst of them.

[Ashley Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars
I’m not typically a big poetry reader but I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway and enjoyed it. The author’s take on daily life and how it interacts with love and life were an interesting read. I bookmarked quite a few poems to come back to again.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short poems with high impact! A great poet lives in this book.

[Jolie LeBlanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and relatable. I really enjoyed his poetry.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

i enjoyed the little nuggets of thought provoking poems

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounded up.... I could see the theme of gratitude, as I progressed through the quick, easily read poems that I thought progressed through a 'beginning to an ending' attitude.

[Alicia Hough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful

I absolutely loved these short poems. Thought provoking and deep in meaning it often had me taking a few moments in between to reflect.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving. Beautiful variety

[Rocc Herrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these little short poems. Used to write poems often as a child. Thus book has given me the creativity to want to write again.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this from a Goodreads giveaway. This was a fantastic story of life brought together over short poems. Very delightful read!

[Candace Applebee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought provoking and inspirational

[Veronica Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and unique poetry book.

[⭐️⭐️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book reminds me of when u read the back of a cereal box.

[Zara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy this book and I'm not sure whether it's because it's from a male author rather than my usual female poet books

There were some good quotes about life in general, but I don't think I could connect emotionally to this as much as I can when poetry is about feelings and love and mental health

This is much more of a general life book of poems that might be good for parents or older men but it didn't really resonate as a 19-year-old woman

[Nev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m very thankful to have won this poetry book from a Goodreads giveaway. It was such a nice change of pace from other current reads. One of my favorite quotes was “the time is here. Bring down the sky. The stars will be our stepping stones.” Overall, I’d give Gratitude five stars due to how well it was written and the deeper connections I was able to form with certain poems.

[Elizabeth Koch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book to review. The 200 poems captured a broad spectrum of emotions which belie the human condition and the cosmos as well. The prose was enchanting. Some of my favorite quotes were: “We are artists. The canvas is Circumstances. The medium: Always kindness. And “the time is here. Bring down the sky. The stars will be our steppingstones. Thought provoking and meditative. Suggested reading under a tree or with a cozy blanket.