5.15.2012

sleeping in the forest

I thought the earth remembered me,
she took me back so tenderly,
arranging her dark skirts, her pockets
full of lichens and seeds.
I slept as never before, a stone on the river bed,
nothing between me and the white fire of the stars
but my thoughts, and they flowed light as moths
among the branches of the perfect trees.
All night I heard the small kingdoms
breathing around me, the insects,
and the birds who do their work in the darkness.
All night I rose and fell, as if in water,
grappling with a luminous doom. By morning
I had vanished at least a dozen times
into something better.

—Mary Oliver 

photo by Michael Kolster

2 comments:

  1. What a beautiful poem. I love Mary Oliver... Also, I had a dream last night that I was trying to comfort Calvin during a seizure. I wanted to let you know that your family has made its way into the unconscious of complete strangers and I hope that that can be a support for you as you continue through this journey. I continue to appreciate the awareness you spread for the epilepsy movement.
    ~Julianna

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  2. thank you julianna. it means the world.

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