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 smallextremely shapely bone
that came from the ear
of a whale.
It hurt a littleto 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