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Poetry Sunday: The Sun by Mary Oliver

As I sat outside in the warmth of a winter sun I thought there must be a poem that expresses this feeling that it gives me, and if there is such a poem, it was probably written by Mary Oliver. So, I went looking for it and sure enough, here it is. 

The Sun

by Mary Oliver

Have you ever seen
anything

in your life
more wonderful

than the way the sun,
every evening,
relaxed and easy,
floats toward the horizon

and into the clouds or the hills,
or the rumpled sea,
and is gone--
and how it slides again

out of the blackness,
every morning,
on the other side of the world,
like a red flower

streaming upward on its heavenly oils,
say, on a morning in early summer,
at its perfect imperial distance--
and have you ever felt for anything
such wild love--
do you think there is anywhere, in any
language,
a word billowing enough
for the pleasure

that fills you,
as the sun
reaches out,
as it warms you

as you stand there,
empty-handed--
or have you too
turned from this world--

or have you too
gone crazy
for power,
for things?

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Comments

  1. jabblogJanuary 5, 2025 at 6:56 AM

    Giving the sun a personality makes it much more accessible. Thank you for this poem, one I had not known before.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lark January 5, 2025 at 2:16 PM

    Nothing like the sun's warmth and light...especially this time of year! Thanks for finding and sharing this lovely poem. :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. AlanaJanuary 5, 2025 at 6:10 PM

    We beg for the sun's warmth where I live at this time of year. And are so overjoyed when it makes an appearance and we can bask in the sun's love for a few hours. I love "streaming upwards on its heavenly oils". It does seem so effortless for the sun to float on its daily path. Loved this poem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersJanuary 5, 2025 at 9:12 PM

      The winter sun seems friendly here in the South - the summer sun, not so much.

      Delete
  4. thecuecardJanuary 7, 2025 at 2:17 PM

    How wonderful. Her poem. Yes it's the warmth of the sun, which feels so nice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersJanuary 7, 2025 at 5:48 PM

      It was mostly absent on this cloudy day which just seemed extra cold and dreary.

      Delete
  5. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzJanuary 8, 2025 at 11:49 AM

    I bought a copy of Mary Oliver's Devotions at a new bookstore in Galveston I visited yesterday. I love Mary Oliver.

    ReplyDelete

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