Friday, December 11, 2015

Poetry Friday: Mary Oliver

Photo credit: FreeImages.

The first lines of this poem sum up my life: 

"Dear Lord, I have swept and I have washed but
still nothing is as shining as it should be
for you." 

The rest of the poem, too, marches on in perfection. 


Making the House Ready for the Lord 
by Mary Oliver


Dear Lord, I have swept and I have washed but
still nothing is as shining as it should be
for you. Under the sink, for example, is an
uproar of mice--it is the season of their
many children. What shall I do? And under the eaves
and through the walls the squirrels
have gnawed their ragged entrances -- but it is the
season when they need shelter, so what shall I do? And
....

(Read the rest here.)

~~~~~

The round up this week is being hosted by A Teaching Life

5 comments:

Tabatha said...

I never thought I would miss the squirrels in our attic, but this poem almost does it. Beautiful, Karen!

Linda B said...

I have also a challenge with the squirrels, stories in different places all my life, yet still I feed them, especially in the winter. I make sure there is water for them that isn't frozen over. This is lovely, Karen, new to me. I think I need to read more Mary Oliver. There is something warm always in her words that makes me want to do more.

Karen Edmisten said...

Tabatha and Linda, so glad you both enjoyed it so much!

Linda, yes, more Mary Oliver for everyone!

Mary Lee said...

Amen and amen.

Doraine said...

What a beautiful poem. I've never seen this one. Thanks for sharing it.