I love the works of Mary Oliver and I stumbled across a gem on Libby, the public library’s app for e-books as well as audiobooks, and wanted to share.

I came across her recording, At Blackwater Pond, an hour long reading of some of her best loved poems that I had not heard before and found it especially moving to hear her poetry in her voice as she is missed greatly.

One of the lesser known poems really struck me – with a line that relates so closely to my death book work – and I wanted to share it with y’all.

I Looked Up

I looked up and there it was
among the green branches of the pitchpines –

thick bird,
a ruffle of fire trailing over the shoulders and down the back –

color of copper, iron, bronze –
lighting up the dark branches of the pine.

What misery to be afraid of death.
What wretchedness, to believe only in what can be proven.

When I made a little sound
it looked at me, then it looked past me.

Then it rose, the wings enormous and opulent,
and, as I said, wreathed in fire.

Mary Oliver.

Wow, I say –

“What misery to be afraid of death.
What wretchedness, to believe only in what can be proven.”

Goodness, do we miss her voice among us.

I highly recommend listening to At Blackwater Pond, y’all.

It is a gift. ❤

Be well, everybody. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Grace and Blessings.