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wings

The Swan

November 25, 2009

P1050272

Thank you Anne.

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


4 Comments on The Swan

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  1. pixie says:

    Mmmm. Lots of good animals coming up this week! I LOVE IT.
    I’m so grateful for you!
    xoxo p

  2. megg says:

    When they handed out the ability to touch people, Mary Oliver must have been at the front of the line – she is amazing. Thank you for this!

  3. one of my favorites. mary oliver gets us. even before we get ourselves.
    love you.

  4. anne says:

    it’s the best group of words I’ve ever read :)

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