Gratitude in Joy & Sorrow, poem by Peter Menkin

This poem came to me as a reflection on a prayer:Bringing me to this new day--
gratitude is its theme. Written this August 2009,As the Prayer goes.
Summertime at night, the work takes on the large 
theme, "Human condition."How kind the thought comes
Because I am a Religion Writer for San Francisco (theOf the goodness of God, though
website, not the print version of San Francisco'sSorrow is our lot.
Other daily newspaper), I came to this poem afterAs is said, “Human condition.”
posting a book review on the same subject:Contradiction. For sorrow is the daily sense,
Gratitude. The book is by Brother David Steindl-Rast,The feeling, the experience, the existential
titled, "Gratefulness the Heart of Prayer: AnDay that finds the Other.
Approach to Life in Fullness."In gratitude.
This poetic work, my poem of last night, reflects also 
on a prayer that is part of the Evening Prayer 
service in The Episcopal Church, "Book of CommonContradiction. Yes, we are in sorrow
Prayer." This Monday evening of the same day ofOf the body, of the head, of the experience
the writing of this poem, I'd again said that prayer asOf living that at the same time is joy.
I so frequently do during the week.That enveloping experience of emotion—
--Peter Menkin, Mill Valley, CA USAA happiness that is not happiness.
  
Gratitude I have--But the mystery of gratitude for
Had--Joy, sense of kind thought and human condition
This sense of acceptance,And thoughts for God, Creator.
Called giving thanks in a praise.As the Prayer goes in Christ.
Of words,We are thankful in living for life, the gift;
And thoughts for God, CreatorIn gratitude, in gratitude again
And sustainer—For our Creation.
My gratitude for my preservation,As the prayer goes in Christ.