I prefer a sunrise in the morning
I prefer sunshine to rain
I prefer happy people to sad
I prefer to be happy, myself
I prefer Lincoln’s quote on happiness
instead of Freud’s musings on the blues
I prefer Abe Lincoln to Trump
I prefer anyone other than Trump
I prefer people over politics
I prefer no politics, just common sense
I prefer to make sense, though often I don’t
I prefer friends who accept my nonsensical
I prefer Beatles to beetles or even to Stones
I prefer wild turkeys to the domesticated
(but) I prefer my grandkids less wild, and more tame
I prefer fiction to non-
I prefer the heart over the head
I prefer to think before I act
I prefer to act happy.
I prefer a bench in a park to watch and muse about the actions of others
I prefer, at times, to discuss the world with animal beings instead of human
I prefer dogs who swim with a smile and a wag
I prefer a bath to a shower – who can read in the shower?
I prefer to sing in the rain,
rather than whine on a clear day
I prefer a sunset in the evening to mellow me into grace and gratefulness for the waning day
(In honor of Wislawa Szymborska, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1996 and wrote a poem whose every line begins with “I Prefer…”)
Photos by Pamela S. Wight
A delight, Pam. The bath says it all!!
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I prefer bubbles in my bath- bet you do too!
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Love ’em!
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I knew it!! 🙂
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I love this post, Pamela – I’m with you on most of your prefers…although I might just about prefer cats! Is that okay??😃😀 Never seen the quote before but I like it and often how true.
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I’ve never lived with a cat, but I’ve made friends with many. Yes, we both prefer loving animals. 😏
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Your post is a wonderful take on her poem. Well done.
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Thank you! I just learned about Wislawa a few weeks ago and am mesmerized by her poetry. XO
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I wrote about her a few weeks ago on Feminist Friday. It must be kismet.
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What a delight–poem and photos, too. Thank you, Pam.
I’m with you on most things–although I like showers and love my two cats (but I love dogs, too). 🙂
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Cats- dogs- pigs- crows: they all have a knack for teaching us about ourselves and the world within.
And I admit-nothing like a long shower on a hot day! 😎
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🙂
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Very nice!
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I would guess you prefer a vacation with no seagulls or cockroaches. 😝
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Yes, in recent years we have learned to enjoy the mountains. 😃
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🙂 :-0 🙂
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As for me, I prefer this post over all others I’ve read this morning. ❤ Happy Friday!
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I prefer that you continue to leave such sweet comments. 😍
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❤
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I agree with most of your preferences, but I do prefer showers to baths. The noise of the running water masks my singing voice so much more effectively.
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You have a great reason to prefer a shower❣
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A nice tribute. Very well done. The preference on your grandchildren made me laugh out loud. I hope you enjoyed the shore…:)
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A great WILD week at the ‘sea’shore. I prefer building sand castles on the beach.😉
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It’s amazing how we seldom take the time to stop long enough and think about that which we prefer – to make sure our daily choices align with our internal compass. Time very well spent if you ask me – just as was the time spent reading this beautifully crafted poem 😉
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‘I prefer’ seems less selfish than ‘I want’ or ‘I need,’ doesn’t it? I like the way you note that we need to sto.p … and think: what DO we prefer in our life? All credit goes to Wislawa for putting together the importance of “I prefer…”
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A beautiful tribute Pam. (My dog would prefer to be in the water than any other place in the world. 🙂 )
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And your kind of dog definitely prefers water play. So much fun to watch their joy!
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Wislawa Szymborska’s poetry is so evocative. I agree with most of your preferences there, Pam. But I prefer a sunrise to sunset. This morning I was trying to figure out which was worse, ragweed pollen or oppressive humidity. I definitely prefer October over August. 🙂
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Hi Barbara – well, I can’t prefer no pollen, because where would the bees go? I definitely prefer less humidity! Here’s to cooler days ahead…and more rain! (Even though I think we both prefer sunshine). xo
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I prefer reading your poem! It is as perfect as can be. I love the Abe Lincoln quote! I prefer to be positive. Have a fabulous weekend doing what you prefer!! ❤
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I prefer reading blogs like yours, Darlene, every week! 🙂 And I have a feeling I’d prefer Spain, also, after reading your posts. xo
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You would love it!! ❤
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Love this post, Pam! Lots of preferences – you sure do know what you like! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
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I know I like your writing, Kelly. This week’s poem on your blog…? W O W.
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You are so kind, Pam! Thank you. I hope you have a lovely day. 🙂
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Lovely tribute and beautiful preferences! I prefer to visit people who lift my spirits and inspire me with their preference for creating beauty — which is why I prefer coming here whenever you post so I can feel embraced by your joy.
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I prefer it if you keep on stopping by here at my blog, Louise! 🙂
Isn’t it amazing, how we can share joy just by writing….???
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I’m with you on all of your “prefers!” Such joy and positive thinking captured beautifully in your words.
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I positively glow at the thought that you’ve returned to blogging, and to stopping by here for a while each week. Thank you! xo
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I have the distinct feeling that is we were to ever meet in person, we would get along like a house on fire (as my mom would say). If you are ever in California, look me up!
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I totally agree!! Where in CA? I get to the bay area as often as possible. 🙂
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I’m just outside of Sacramento and can easily meet you in the bay!
Reviews posted!
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I so prefer readers who take the time to review the books they enjoy on Amazon!! 🙂 THANK YOU – they’re great. (I bet your life isn’t so boring, BTW, ha ha. When we get together I’ll tell you how much of The Right Wrong Man is derived from ‘real’ life. You may be surprised… :-0 ) YES, let’s meet up the next time I get to the bay area (hopefully in early December). That would be really, really fun.
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Well, that is a story I want to hear! I am in San Francisco in early December for my husband’s work thing. Maybe we can coordinate? We are going to there the first weekend.
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Let’s e-mail! I’m at pam.wight@colettawight.net.
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I prefer sitting in my chair reading this beautiful poem. You have such a creative way with words and it brings joy to my life. I prefer Lincoln over Freud but I prefer the Stones over the Beatles . I prefer cooking over writing. Have a lovely weekend !
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Who would have guessed?! You’re a Rolling Stone kind of girl! Well, I’ll roll with it as long as you keep sharing your recipes. 🙂
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You did the lady honour with your post.
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Many thanks, Anneli. I’ve learned about so many amazing writers/poets by reading the blogs of others. Each blog challenges me to tone up my writing and my sharing. Your blog is one of those. xo
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Oh my! Flattery will get you everywhere!!! (Thank you).
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🙂
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Lovely, just lovely…
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Why thank you, Janet. All the way from Seattle, you’ve stopped by here to read my preferences. But knowing you through our mutual relatives, I bet we share most of these. xo
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Great list, Pam. I agree with many of your items and will add . . .
I prefer to avoid falling rocks, unexpected blizzards, and encounters with wild and savage beasts while hiking.
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Great additions to my “I Prefer” list! Hope you write your own Preference Poem – I have a feeling it will be a good one. ❤
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Love this! I shared to my Facebook. You have such a great sense of humor, and that’s a fine art, to put humor into a poem.
I loved your take on politics, and I agree.
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THANK YOU so much for sharing my PREFER poem with your FB friends. That means a lot. Yes, I prefer good humor to ill humor for sure. Keep on smiling…!
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Wonderful, Pam. That says so much about you, along with the lovely photos. The one of the grandchildren was a grinner. They look like a fun bunch 😀
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Thanks, Diana. I’m missing one of my grandkids in the group photo, and he’s the wildest one of the bunch. 🙂
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Oh my! Well, they look like great fun 🙂
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so lovely
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Thanks for musing on over here to my Prefer list. I know you’d add photography and walking on the beach to yours, and I’m right there with you…
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I’m a fan of your post. Lovely messages that you have written here. I wish that everyone would preder these things. But alas, that is wistful thinking.
The grandchildren are so adorable.
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I know what you mean. But I suppose the world would be boring if we all looked at “life” the same way. Those ‘adorable’ grandchildren are, simultaneously, devilish little angels. I hope to keep photographing the duel identities of good/bad as they grow into adults. 🙂
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Sorry that was meant to be prefer not preder. Saw that typo too late. 🙂
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I prefer a lot of your prefers! I prefer Wild Turkey 101 to any bird. But don’t drink that much (ever) any more. 🙂
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You are too funny, Karen. I gave up on THAT kind of Wild Turkey a long time ago, as I guess you did too. I definitely prefer your sense of humor, your kindness, and your loyalty. You are a one-of-a-kind special one.
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Lovely. I like a lot your prefers to — especially people over politics.
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People over Politics …. ALWAYS!
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I love your list poem of things you prefer, Pam. The opening and closing are beautiful bookends to the rest. And of course, I love the grandchildren in the middle! Such happy smiles! 🙂
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Smiles are meant to be shared, thus I included that silly sweet grandkids photo. Thanks so much for tweeting my preferences, Nora, and for enjoying. xo
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My pleasure, Pam! 🙂
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I agree with most mostly disagree w an motion.. I would like wine everyday 😋🍷
Sent from my iPhone
>
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I’ll add to that, Janine. I prefer wine over beer, and I prefer red over white. 🙂
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What a lovely homage to Szymborska! Reading in the bath, smiling dogs, oh yes!
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Hmmmm, I guess the next step is smiling dogs IN the bath? My golden used to try, but he was not allowed unless he brought his own book, and he never did. 🙂
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Beautiful and wise words….yes, I agree with you! I also happen to have Lincoln’s quote perched on a bookshelf, given to my by one of my students. 🙂 Thank you for the inspiration.
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Thanks for texting me the photo of the quote on your bookcase, Patrice. Ahh, of course like (brilliant?) minds think alike. You are one of the “happiest” people I know. ❤
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given to ME by one of my students….sorry!
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I prefer a smile over a frown! I prefer ice cream over spinach!!!!
Very nice post!
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I’ve never had ice cream over spinach, but hey, bet it’s good. Chocolate or vanilla ice cream? 🙂
Just being funny. But the weird thing is that I happen to prefer spinach! Maybe even more than ice cream! 🙂
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Haha, I like all ice cream! Spinach, not so much!
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Beautiful, Pam. Love that photo of the less-wild grandkids. Although dogs are undeniably lovable, I prefer cats for their grace, their purr, and the flexible way they feel when you hold them.
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So many of my blog readers have told me their preference for cats, like you. I hope to get to know a cat well sometime. I’ve never lived with one, but I love the fact that when I visit friends who have cats, the beautiful feline saunters up to me, purrs, and settles in for a long loving scratch. Cats seem quite aware of how to take care of their needs, and how to get others to take care of their needs, too. !!
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I prefer not having to make choices. But if I have to, I side with you! 🙂
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Awww, thanks for coming along to my side of preferences for a bit, Lorna. I have to smile at your preference to make no choice. That would be the hardest thing of all, for me.
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When I say not having to make choices, I really mean just going with the flow and accepting what happens. I do have preferences. Everyone does! 😉
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I can’t leave a comment, Pam, but want to tell you I like this poem. Now I want to write my own “prefer” poem. Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2016 07:08:25 +0000 To: glendabeall@msn.com
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Glenda – your comment came through my blog loud and clear. THANKS so much for reading. I hope you’ve begun your own prefer poem – isn’t it fun? xo
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I prefer poetry – period! 🙂 Wonderful Pam, and I recognise and celebrate all those preferences, which are mostly mine too, but I love the others too, because they’re what make you you. And thanks for making me check out Wislawa’s poetic preferences too – fabulous! I prefer … Pamela Wright!!! Hugs, H xxxx
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I prefer YOUR poetry, Harula! Yes, I was so glad to learn about Wislawa, her life, her writings. People like her get too little recognition, and people like her make life sweeter, more understandable in some ways, and easier to digest in ways too. I know you know what I mean. ❤
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I prefer bloggers who make me smile to bloggers who make me fret — so I prefer you! 🙂 Sweet poem, Pam!!
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And I prefer wonderful writers like you who take the time to come on over to Roughwighting and stay a while. xoxo
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Thank you for introducing me to Wislawa Szymborska. And for the reminder to sit a while and ponder what it is I prefer. These days, a hot cup of tea over most anything else (it’s chosen me); the smell of the air after a heavy rain, a bubble bath and the time it takes to have a good one … How marvelous that these things come so easily. I needed the reminder. So, I thank you for that as well.
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I’m savoring your list here. HEAVEN! Yes, as soon as the humidity lessens up, I’m with you on the cup of hot tea. We are desperately waiting for the scent of the air after rain – it will be that much more enticing when it finally comes in drought-stricken NE. I’d write more here, but I’m off for my bubble bath. 🙂
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I love the inclusion of the those great images! 🙂
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Thanks for enjoying my photos. I’m having a ball with my little I-Phone – easier to take candid and accessible shots no matter where I am. xo
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I love your poem. I prefer to be happy too! And look happy then usually I start to feel happy! Your positive poem makes us think! 🙂
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What a good point. If we put a smile on our face, it will meld into our minds, too. 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Oh my…great stuff!!
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Thank you!
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Ths confirms, yet again, that we are kindred spirits, my friend. What a delightful and telling piece of writing!
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I know, “I Prefer” really does reveal a person. I think I’d like everyone to reveal themselves in such a way. Then, maybe, we’d have a lot more understanding of what makes each us us tick….?
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