—for Mary Oliver, January 17, 2019
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
—Mary Oliver, The Summer Day
And when she said, “you don’t have to be good,”
my whole body became wild goose
as the truth of her lines winged through.
And when she asked, “what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
I walked outside and heard the low river.
And when she suggested we live
as “a bride married to amazement,”
I made my vows to life.
On the day that she died, the winter
was too warm for snow, and the rain
gave luster to every sullen thing.
In me, a storm threatened to rise,
but the only words that would find my lips
were thank you, thank you, thank you.
So many thank yous I owe Mary Oliver, yet she never knew me, never knew of all my unspoken gratitudes to/for her. This is how it goes with poets: They lay their hearts open, never knowing, never hearing of all the hearts made more whole by their doing so.
So many hearts yet remain, needing opened-heart healings. There’s much aching work for us poets to take on, now Sister Oliver can no longer continue walking point.
exactly so … laid open so beautifully. so much healing.
I add my thanks for most this amazing poet who taught us so much we needed to know. She will not be forgotten.
She was a wonder, an inspiration—with her words, she changed the way I am in the world. So beloved. What a gift to the world.
Xo
r
Oh and I add mine. For Mary Oliver and for you, Rosemerry! This tribute…perfection. My heart breaks, as Mary Oliver said it should. Love and Namaste my friend.
may our hearts break open again and again … so much gratitude for you
Somehow I lost my connection to your daily posts … have been wondering what kept you away … all the while it was a technology glitch! I am happily reading catch-up mode. And this poem for Mary Oliver prompts me to tell you that often your poems transport my attitudes as effectively as do Mary Oliver’s. Thank you for your presence in my daily mood-tuning.
Hi Jazz! so glad we are connected again! What happened? Something I need to try to take care of on my end??