'The powers of observing'

 

“I lovethe line of Flaubert about observing things very intensely. I think our duty aswriters begins not with our own feelings, but with the powers of observing.” – MaryOliver

Born this date in 1935, Oliverwon both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for her poeticstylings, and The New York Times described her as "far and away,[America's] best-selling poet.”   She began writing poetry at the ageof 14 never really stopped until her death in 2019. 

 

Oliver's poetry turns towards naturefor its inspiration and describes the sense of wonder it instills in her."When it's over," she says, "I want to say: all my life I was abride married to amazement.  I was thebridegroom, taking the world into my arms."  For Saturday’s Poem, here is Oliver’s,

 

ADream of Trees

There is a thing in me that dreamedof trees,
A quiet house, some green and modest acres
A little way from every troubling town,
A little way from factories, schools, laments.
I would have time, I thought, and time to spare,
With only streams and birds for company,
To build out of my life a few wild stanzas.
And then it came to me, that so was death,
A little way away from everywhere.

There is a thingin me still dreams of trees.
But let it go. Homesick for moderation,
Half the world's artists shrink or fall away.
If any find solution, let him tell it.
Meanwhile I bend my heart toward lamentation
Where, as the times implore our true involvement,
The blades of every crisis point the way.

I would it werenot so, but so it is.
Who ever made music of a mild day?

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