Riehlife Poem of the Day: Mary Oliver’s “Praying”
When Mary Oliver read in St. Louis at Art & Soul Cafe, Christ Church Cathedral in December 8th at 1210 Locust Street, downtown, a group of 200 hushed Mary Oliver fans gathered to hear her read. It was thrilling to be in her presence and in the assembly of her devotees. —JGR
PRAYING
by Mary Oliver
from “Thirst”
It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together, and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest, but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.
Thanks, Janet, for bringing in your Albuquerque friend as poetry editor for National Poetry month. It’s lovely to “hear” Mary Oliver and Langston Hughes and other poetry voices on your pages. (Don’t forget David Lee, a fellow westerner, too!) And your evocation of the white pelicans on the Mississippi flying you home was just gorgeous. I’m off to my blog – while I have an internet connection here in San Francisco – to write some thoughts about making Earth Hour a daily exercise in reconnection.
Blessings to you, Susan
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