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Poetry Sunday: Why I Wake Early by Mary Oliver

Here's a lovely ode to the morning sun, the star that "just happens" to be where it is in the universe and that spreads its light even on "the miserable and crotchety." Enjoy.

Why I Wake Early

by Mary Oliver

Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who make the morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the windows of, even, the
miserable and crotchety–

best preacher that ever was,
dear star, that just happens
to be where you are in the universe
to keep us from ever-darkness,
to ease us with warm touching,
to hold us in the great hands of light–
good morning, good morning, good morning.

Watch, now, how I start the day
in happiness, in kindness.

Comments

  1. That is such an optimistic poem. Thank you for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. To start my day in the warm clasp of Mary Oliver is about as good as it gets. Thank you, Dorothy.

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  3. What a way to start my day. Good morning, sun that gives us everything.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a great poem. I love it! (Even though I really do love to sleep in and not wake at sunrise. ;D )

    ReplyDelete
  5. "Good morning, good morning, good morning.

    Watch, now, how I start the day
    in happiness, in kindness."

    Perfect way to start a day...reciting this!

    ReplyDelete
  6. "best preacher that ever was" -- I like that line best. Great poem ... and that photo of the sun is wowsa.

    ReplyDelete

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