for Mary Oliver, 1/18/2019
A full quorum
of snow covers my backyard
in the color it should be
in January
Reclaiming the brown
winter-dormant grass
that ekes a droning
into the back of my mind
I write this tribute poem
to Mary Oliver
on the day after her passing
and it seems
it should be snowing,
the sun bowing homage
while it reads her poems
Allowing her to be
the one to shine today
Mary, of course,
would give the clouds
center stage
to slow us into
a deeper rhythm
for this one day,
this one wild and precious day
in this one wild
and precious life
She would take time
to count crows
and weave ibis wings
upon her tongue
Seeking prayers
in a blade of grass
beneath a broken bottle
in an abandoned city lot
her knees knowing the soil,
and the winds, her voice
and for so many of us,
her precious words
Wild and free
“What will you do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver
What a wonderful tribute to Mary Oliver –it inspired me to read some of Oliver’s poems but I like Valerie’s as much or more!
This poem inspired me to read Oliver’s work –and I love Valerie’s as much as Mary’s! What a great tribute…good work Valerie
Love this, Val…thank you!
Valerie”s poetry has a simplistic understanding of words that dwell deep to one core
I have known Valerie for nearly 30 years. She had been one of my mentors as she is one of the most spiritual beings I’ve ever known and I share her passion and connection to nature. She writes eloquently about nature and most any topic. I love her style of poetry, not too cryptic, but understandable and beautifully put!
Simply beautiful, Val. Tender tribute to an amazing poet. … “weave ibis wings upon her tongue …” ♥️ Thank you, old friend.
Wonderful poem, beautiful tribute!
thanks for the tribute to Mary Oliver- beautiful way to celebrate a poet with a poem
This is a lovely tribute. Your words touch the soul. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you, Val, and thank you, Mary Oliver, for waking us up to this one wild and beautiful life!
So touching Valerie. Thank you!
Beautiful!
Sublimely beautiful Val! I am sure Ms Oliver is bowing to you from the heavens and from the earth below. Thank you for sharing this poignant tribute to one of my favorite poets…like yourself!
The world has lost a beautiful voice in Mary Oliver. Thanks for these lovely words for her, Val.
This is beautiful, Valerie! It speaks to me today as my patio plumps high with new snow, erasing all the violent and mean-spirited words that seem to be engulfing us.
A wonderful tribute…the nature and the soil making us all one
I read this many months after it was posted but after a snowstorm. Made me sit up and take notice of Valerie’s poem as well as, once again, Oliver’s. Thanks.