At lunchtime I bought a huge orange—
The size of it made us all laugh.
I peeled it and shared it with Robert and Dave—
They got quarters and I had a half.
And that orange, it made me so happy,
As ordinary things often do
Just lately. The shopping. A walk in the park.
This is peace and contentment. It’s new.
The rest of the day was quite easy.
I did all the jobs on my list
And enjoyed them and had some time over.
I love you. I’m glad I exist.
— Wendy Cope
Love!
Loved this poem. Reminded me of my little great granddaughter who has just started to love oranges and asks us to “open it” for her. I shall write out the poem. Thank you.
Hi Pat,
I hope you’re doing well and your great granddaughter has eaten a whole lot of oranges! I just wanted to say this comment made me smile, it’s such a lovely and simple (but wonderful) way of saying thank-you. I’m glad you exist!
Loved the poem. Reminded me of my little great granddaughter who has just start to like oranges and asks us to “open it” for her. I shall write it out. Thank you.
I’m so glad I found this poem. It reminded me that even the smallest things in life can make you happy. The last line almost makes me cry, it’s so pure, like it was written by a child. It makes me feel like we shouldn’t take everything seriously and we should just enjoy life, take a walk, breathe
A reminder that there is joy in the ordinary things in our lives and we should celebrate them. Thank you dear God-Daughter for introducing this poem to me. I shall frame it!
I love this poem, reminds me that the simple things are the greatest pleasures and the most deeply satisfying parts of a good life.
I love this poem so very much. It perfectly touches on the simple joy with being alive. As someone who has struggled with depression for a long time, I especially related to the lines, “This peace and contentment. Its new.”
As I heal, I am slowly learning what happiness feels like when it curls up in front of your hearth and decides to stay a while.
I think the beauty of the poem comes from the feelings of tranquility it inspires. I will hold these words close to my heart for the rest of my life.
I love this poem and the font😭 what font is this?
Thank you for this comment Max, the words you use to describe this poem really touched me. I love your comment “happiness feels like when it curls up in front of your hearth and decides to stay a while”. Just such a beautiful way to put it
“I love you. I’m glad I exist.” are the most tender lines in the universe. I am so glad to live in a world where this poem exist. The sheer power in those lines is enough to make me cry. My depression is cured!
i girl i was talking to said this was her favourite poem so i read it . And now it’s my favourite poem
This poem means more to me than any other work of art I’ve ever experienced, especially the last lines
“I love you
I’m glad I exist”… something about that just touches me right in the heart
this poem spoke to me when i was in one of my worst states, and exactly worded the things i had forgotten. the last line will be staying with me on my inner ankle under the semicolon, a simple reminder that i am exactly enough, and happy about it.
I cry nearly every time I read this poem. It’s so beautiful. I relate heavily to Max’s comment above, and Max probably puts it in better words than I could myself. I’m glad I exist. I’m glad you exist. I’m glad others find joy in this poem. I think I will also write this poem out, Pat.
Well its a very unique poem but brought some light to me.
I love this poem and the font😭 what font is this?
I just discovered this poem as spring is back and the COVID-19 pandemic is hopefully waning. I am starting to get hope back and this hit me at exactly the right point.
It boggles my mind that this poem is not more well-known. It is a simple, ordinary poem about finding happiness in simple, ordinary things–what could be more beautiful and wholesome than that? This is easily one of my favorite poems of all time.
i love this poem so much :”)) it perfectly encapsulates the warm and comfortable feeling of being happy and content just as you are. this poem reminds me of the feeling i love so much. i’m so happy to read the other comments and know other people treasure this as much as i do. i hope we all continue to enjoy the ordinary things. to anyone reading this, i love you. i’m glad we exist.
I love this poem. I’m glad it exists
:)