Evidence

*

Here is the evidence...

of the arrival
of my much anticipated
order of Mary Oliver books


~


One of the very best things
to arise out of my reincarnation
as a blogger
is the introduction
to Mary Oliver's poetry


~


I have indulged myself
guzzling down her poems
like fresh red summer strawberries,
making my way
through two volumes
already...


~



This poem
especially,
of those I have read so far,
rapped at the door
of my heart...




~


Mindful

Every day
I see or hear
something
that more or less

kills me
with delight
that leaves me
like a needle

in the haystack
of light.
It is what I was born for -
to look, to listen,

to lose myself
inside this soft world
to instruct myself
over and over

in joy,
and acclamation.
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional,

the fearful, the dreadful,
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,

the daily presentations.
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
how can you help

but grow wise
with such teachings
as these-
the untrimmable light

of the world,
the ocean's shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?
~



When I read this poem
I felt that the poet
had wandered through my soul
and plucked the ripe emotions,
wrapped them in words
tied them in sentences-
like stalks of grains in a sheaf


she had given the inexpressible
shape and form and colour,
gathered them together
protectively,
and placed them
in a treasure box
which can be opened
and reopened
at will..
She had given a voice
to joy...





Oh Holy Days




*