Look, the trees
are turning their own bodies
into pillars
of light,
are giving off the rich
fragrance of cinnamon
and fulfillment,
the long tapers
of cattails
are bursting and floating away over
the blue shoulders
of the ponds,
and every pond,
no matter what its
name is, is
nameless now.
Every year
everything
I have ever learned
in my lifetime
leads back to this: the fires
and the black river of loss
whose other side
is salvation,
whose meaning
none of us will ever know.
To live in this world
you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it
against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.
(9-10-35 - 1-17-19)
One of my all-time favorite poets. This photo was taken at Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna, Virginia in May 2009. Probably not the same time of the year that the poem is describing but this is also a favorite photo I wanted to reshare.
Our weather over the last few days showing the highs is below.
Tuesday, May 19th - 99°F / 37°C
Wednesday, May 20th - 81°F / 27°C
Thursday, May 21st - 73°F / 23°C
Friday, May 22nd - 57°F / 14°C
Saturday, May 23rd - 55°F / 13°C
Sunday, May 24th - 69°F / 21°C
As of 5-24-26 it has been raining for the last two days, with more to follow, so no walkies for us until the sun shines again. It won't keep us inside though. I am sure we will find something to do.
What has the weather been like in your area?

I knew this was Mary Oliver before I was even halfway through reading it! she is wonderful. It has been raining for a week. But all done now for quite some time.
ReplyDeleteShe left a wonderful legacy didn't she? Thanks Ginny and I'm glad your rain has finished. Ours has too and we are enjoying warmer but not absolutely hot yet. Just about perfect :)
DeleteLovely poem. We have a great week forecasted
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine, and I'm happy for you :) The same here.
DeleteBeautiful blossom on the trees there Denise and a wonderful poem.
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember it being a lovely day when I took the photo. Glad you enjoyed the photo and the poem Margaret. Thank you :)
DeleteA beautiful poem with this lovely photo of blossoming trees. hugs Elke
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed it Elke :) What a wonderful way she had with words. Hugs, Denise
DeleteI can barely imagine what it must have been like for Mary Oliver to be able to string words together so perfectly every time.
ReplyDeleteShe truly was amazing. How wonderful it would have been to have her over for dinner. Listening to her would have been delightful.
DeleteSuch a lovely lovely poem. Enjoy the end of runaway May.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Happy you enjoyed, thank you Amalia :) I wish you the same, Denise xo
DeleteI've never heard this poem before. Thanks for sharing it. I don't like it when it rains for several days in a row. It always brings me down.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Ann, it's fun to find poems to share :) Bad weather can be a real downer. I hope yours has brightened up like ours has by now.
DeleteA fine MO poem and photo too.
ReplyDeleteThank you John, glad you liked them :)
DeleteHave a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, you also :)
DeleteI enjoy Mary Oliver too. And your redbud view is gorgeous. Have a super Friday.
ReplyDeleteIsn't she wonderful! I have several of her poetry books. The redbud tree was at one of the gardens we liked to walk around. Thank you Erika, as Friday/Saturday are gone now, I will wish you a Happy Sunday! :)
DeleteLovely poem and photo to go with. Wishing you a fun weekend.
ReplyDeleteHello my friend, lovely to see you. Thank you and wishing you a fun weekend too :)
Delete❤️
DeleteYikes on your weather pattern that week! Blossoming trees are sweet to see. Have a beautiful end of May weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ellen, it seems to have settled down for a while now. Thank you and you have a beautiful end of May also, and as June is almost upon us, a happy June.
DeleteLast week I had the heat on. This week has been wretchedly hot and humid. Lovely poem.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is strange up and down weather we have been having. Thank you Sandra :) I hope your weather is as nice as ours and isn't too hot. We have that to come I guess.
DeleteRed buds are so unassuming yet absolutely breath taking
ReplyDeleteI love the poem
Hugs Cecilia
I agree with you Cecilia :) Glad you enjoyed the poem too. Hugs, Denise
DeleteMuch wisdom in that poem. Have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of wisdom in all of her poems, one of the reasons I enjoy them so much. Thanks Janice, you have a lovely weekend also :)
DeleteLovely. The weather has cooled a bit here and it has been raining today! :-D
ReplyDeleteWe had a few days of rain too and now the sun was shining today. Hope your weather is great :)
DeleteThank you for sharing the poem and the beautiful photograph.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
You are very welcome Janice and thank you. All the best to you too, Denise :)
DeleteLindo poema. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteGracias, me alegra que te haya gustado el poema. Te mando un beso :)
DeleteSure are gorgeous trees when they bloom. I have never heard of that poem before. It was good.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I always look forward to seeing them, and the dogwoods :) Glad you enjoyed Sandie. Happy Sunday!
DeleteWe have had similar high and low temps the past couple of weeks and rain is forecast for the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are getting much better weather now :) Seems to be brightening up here now.
DeleteMary is the best! Redbud trees are one of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteShe is indeed! I have collected several of her books over the years :) Thank you Jeanie, mine too.
Delete