July morning

Morning Poem


Every morning
the world
is created.
Under the orange

sticks of the sun
the heaped
ashes of the night
turn into leaves again

and fasten themselves to the high branches ---
and the ponds appear
like black cloth
on which are painted islands

of summer lilies.
If it is your nature
to be happy
you will swim away along the soft trails

for hours, your imagination
alighting everywhere.
And if your spirit
carries within it

the thorn
that is heavier than lead ---
if it's all you can do
to keep on trudging ---

there is still
somewhere deep within you
a beast shouting that the earth
is exactly what it wanted ---

each pond with its blazing lilies
is a prayer heard and answered
lavishly,
every morning,

whether or not
you have ever dared to be happy,
whether or not
you have ever dared to pray.


from Dream Work (1986) by Mary Oliver
© Mary Oliver


This is a female American Redstart fanning her tail as she hunts for her breakfast insects. They flit from branch to branch, tipping and twirling seeking their prey. I'm amazed that I caught this.

It's a gloriously sunny, very warm morning. My heart is heavy, our 100 year young Helen Irene is being laid to rest today in her beloved Colorado. We couldn't make the ceremony, one of the gang from years ago, who was here with us in Maine last September will represent us. She's closer, flying in from California to carry the words of love and support needed. In January we were all together, without little Helen, to celebrate the life of her daughter, our friend B. Helen was too frail to make the trip. Now,Helen & B are both free of their earthly bonds and all their suffering. I saw this sentiment engraved on a stone in the cemetery next to us this morning as I snapped Mrs. Redstart..."To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die." BB will say it for me today, surrounded by Helen's Rocky Mountains in the clear Colorado air.

Last September, two of my Bs, the one facing forward(BB) is in Denver today, representing us.

For our Helen Irene

For the Record,
This day came in very warm with a lovely breeze, 75 degrees early with 73% humidity, barometer rising. So much nicer than at home!!!