I Prefer…

/ roughwighting

sunrise, Richardson Bay

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

Abe Lincoln on happiness

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 nonsensicalwild turkey

Beatles, Beatle t-shirt

I prefer Beatles to beetles or even to Stones

I prefer wild turkeys to the domesticated

grandchildren(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.

bench, Boston, park

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

dogs, swimmingI prefer dogs to cats.

I prefer dogs who swim with a smile and a wagbubble bath, taking a bath

 

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

sunset, Kauai

 

Wislawa Szymborska(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

 

103 thoughts on “I Prefer…”

  2. 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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  9. 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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  11. 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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  12. 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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  14. 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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  16. 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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    • 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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  19. 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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  20. 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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    • 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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  25. 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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  27. 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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  30. 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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  33. 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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  36. 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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  38. 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 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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