on the river – welcoming spring
—
The Swan
Did you too see it, drifting, all night, on the black river?
Did you see it in the morning, rising into the silvery air –
An armful of white blossoms,
A perfect commotion of silk and linen as it leaned
into the bondage of its wings; a snowbank, a bank of lilies,
Biting the air with its black beak?
Did you hear it, fluting and whistling
A shrill dark music – like the rain pelting the trees – like a waterfall
Knifing down the black ledges?
And did you see it, finally, just under the clouds –
A white cross Streaming across the sky, its feet
Like black leaves, its wings Like the stretching light of the river?
And did you feel it, in your heart, how it pertained to everything?
And have you too finally figured out what beauty is for?
And have you changed your life?
– Mary Oliver
Beautiful Poem ❤
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❤
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As Spring is just minutes away, let me thank you for all the warm thoughts your posts have gifted me through this long, cold, dark winter. This poem was a lovely opening to the next act of the seasons.
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I clearly am so excited for spring, thank you
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Here’s a lovely sunny Australian song from ‘Hollow Coves’, their new release from 5 days ago.. enjoy Beth
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thanks, Ivor!
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Did you know the Queen officially owns ALL the swans in England? There are special government employees whose job is to count them. I could NOT make this stuff up. (The good news is that the swans in Scotland are apparently not royal chattel.)
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– thank you for sharing this, wow
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Nice Writing ✍️ and good duck
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she is a beautiful writer
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Ahhh… Mary Oliver, a woman with poetry in her soul. Goes well with the image. There seems to be some hope that spring may yet arrive. 🌷
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yes, to both –
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What a beautiful poem! Thanks for sharing
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she has such an amazing way with words
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Oh yes!
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Beautiful ❤️
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❤
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❤️
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❤
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no one, it could be argued, has such an eye for beauty in nature as Mary Oliver; I have her mentioned I have one of her books: ‘American Primitive’ —
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nice – and yes, she has such an understanding of nature and how to describe it
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oooops: excuse the clumsy grammar 😦
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no worries
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A beautiful bird for sure, Beth, but persnickety as you get close to its personal space I have discovered on the shores of our lake.
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this is true –
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Lovely write.
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she has amazing way with words
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wow. Mary sure has a way with words.
what a perfect photo and poem for the first day of Spring!
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That she does and she always makes you think –
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that’s a good combo to have…
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Mary Oliver is one of the gold standards.
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And it’s clear to see why, with every word
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That’s such a beautiful description!
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I thought so too –
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So beautiful.
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🦢
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Happy first day of Spring! 🌺
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You too!
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Lovely poem. I really like Mary Oliver.
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She’s amazing
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Beautiful 😍
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❤️
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What a beautiful poem Beth!
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Mary Oliver is a wonder
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Nice poem
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She’s a brilliant writer
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Spring! Just love it!
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Same!
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Great poem
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she has a way with words –
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I totally agree
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Hi Beth (Book Club Mom here). What a beautiful poem. And what a powerful last line. I remember reading some of Mary Oliver’s poems and reading about her after she passed away. Thanks for sharing this 🙂
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my pleasure, she is one of my favorites –
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Reblogged this on History of Sorts.
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thats a beautiful poem! ❤
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❤
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