The Sunday Poem: “What a Wonderful World” – by Patricia Carragon

April 4th, 2026

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The Sunday Poem  is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work.

Patricia Carragon reads her poem at its conclusion.

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photo via RawPixel.com

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What a Wonderful World
(inspired by Louis Armstrong)

In a world of breaking news
fed by the oligarch’s will—stop!

Breathe—
close your eyes, zone out, and heal.

The collective is texting you—
the world is still worth saving.

Beauty’s tough, a seasoned survivor—
from a child’s imagination to the tiniest leaf.

Take a walk and observe the trees.
They are way wiser.
They don’t complicate matters.
They live in the now.

The roses will return—
ask each crocus and daffodil,
and the tulip, too.

April showers wash this landscape—
a rainbow curves over the Verrazano,
the cold gray sky turns cornflower blue.

The snow belongs to yesterday—
kids want to play by the swings,
hear Mister Softee’s jingle up the block.

Your life won’t be perfect,
but kindness and serenity
won’t cost a cent.

The collective texts you again—
yes, the world is still worth saving.

Dictators will come and go,
and humanity will have the last word.

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Listen to Patricia Carragon read her poem

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This poem appears in the  Jerry Jazz Musician  book Kinds of Cool: An Interactive Collection of Jazz Poetry, Vol. II

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Patricia Carragon  is author of  Stranger on the Shore  (Human Error Publishing),  Angel Fire  (Alien Buddha Press),  Meowku  (Poets Wear Prada),  The Cupcake Chronicles  (Poets Wear Prada),  and  Innocence  (Finishing Line Press).  Available on Amazon.com.  Editor of  Sense & Sensibility Haiku Journal.   She is the  Curator/editor-in-chief  (Brownstone Poets, Brooklyn, NY)

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Watch a 2019 film of Jon Batiste performing the Bob Thiele/George David Weiss composition “What a Wonderful World” [Jon Batiste]

 

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Click for:

Information about the Jerry Jazz Musician edited book Kinds of Cool: An Interactive Collection of Jazz Poetry, Vol. II

The Sunday Poem Archive

More poetry on Jerry Jazz Musician

“The Sound of Becoming,” J.C. Michaels’ winning story in the 70th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest

More short fiction on Jerry Jazz Musician

Information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction

Subscribe to the (free) Jerry Jazz Musician quarterly newsletter

Helping to support the ongoing publication of Jerry Jazz Musician, and to keep it commercial-free (thank you!)

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Jerry Jazz Musician…human produced since 1999

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2 comments on “The Sunday Poem: “What a Wonderful World” – by Patricia Carragon”

  2. What a lovely, clear, commanding voice you have Patricia as you read your poem. I enjoyed hearing it in your voice. Thank you! ❣️

    Reply

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