Friday, February 19, 2021

DUCKS AND POETRY

 

For years, every morning, I drank 

from Blackwater Pond.  

It was flavored with oak leaves 

and also, no doubt, the feet of ducks.

And always it assuaged me 

from the dry bowl of the very far past.

What I want to say is

that the past is the past,

and the present is what your life is,

and you are cable 

of choosing what that will be,

darling citizen.

So come to the pond,

or the river of your imagination,

or the harbor of your longing,

and put your lips to the world.

And live

your life.


"Mornings at Blackwater" 

by 

Mary Oliver





34 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I totally agree, a particular favorite of mine for several years :)

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  2. A new poem to me, and I like how she expresses her thoughts!

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  3. Hello,
    Pretty duck photos. I have always enjoyed Mary Oliver's poems! Take care, happy weekend!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Eileen, so glad and I wish the same for you :)

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  4. I just love that first photo they are so beautiful and what a super shot it is of these beautiful ducks

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    1. Thanks Sandra, these photos were taken on my last trip back to my old home in 2015.

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  5. Love the shot of those ducks waddling away...

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Ellen, they did make a lovely sight walking away, this after they realized I had no food to give them :)

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  6. Incredibly perfect .. a way to look at life as it should be.

    Love your photos also.

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  7. Darling photo of sweet ducks, Denise. I love Mary Oliver and her writings and this poem is no exception.

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    Replies
    1. She is a wonderful poet isn’t she Martha Ellen? :) Thank you!

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  8. I like the poem, and the ducks are a pleasure to see.

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  9. This is very sweet. I haven't seen a duck in such a long time.

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  10. Interesting poem. Love the ducks!

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    1. Thank you Linda, so did I :) and it was a very rare event that I saw so many ducks in one spot.

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  11. I've not heard this poem before, I enjoyed reading. Ducks I love. I used to have them as pets as a young girl.

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    1. Hi Betsy, I have read several poems by Mary Oliver but this was a new one to me also. I loved reading that you had ducks as pets when you were young. How wonderful that must have been :)

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  12. Hi Denise,
    Excellent words with lovely ducks.
    Stay safe,
    John

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    Replies
    1. Hi John, thank you and I am happy you enjoyed both the poem and the ducks. You stay safe too :)

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