poetry

A Poetry favourite

Mary Oliver is a beloved poet of mine. I discovered her writing while on a personal retreat, and it was a drink of water to my spirits. Delicious. I so enjoy the way she crafts words with a surprise twist here & there, and how her images enliven the senses...

Philips' Birthday

I gave,
to a friend that I care for deeply,
something that I loved.
It was only a small

extremely shapely bone
that came from the ear
of a whale.
It hurt a little

to give it away.
The next morning
I went out, as usual,
at sunrise,

and there, in the harbour,
was a swan.
I don't know what he or she was doing there,

but the beauty of it
was gift.
Do you see what I mean?
You give, and you are given. 

-Mary Oliver, Evidence