Read this Mary Oliver poem at your own risk, friends. I had forgotten that Oliver can be so gruesome as she pins down the butterfly…
The Rabbit
Scatterghost,
it can’t float away.
And the rain, everybody’s brother,
won’t help. And the wind all these days
flying like ten crazy sisters everywhere
can’t seem to do a thing. No one but me,
and my hands like fire,
to lift him to a last burrow. I wait
days, while the body opens and begins
to boil. I remember
the leaping in the moonlight, and can’t touch it,
wanting it miraculously to heal
and spring up joyful. But finally
I do. And the day after I’ve shoveled
the earth over, in a field nearby
I find a small bird’s nest lined pale
and silvery and the chicks —
are you listening, death?—warm in the rabbit’s fur.
* * *
I can’t remember if it was Christian Wiman or Scott Cairns (or someone else!), but he was walking with her to a reading his organization had sponsored. As walked along the city sidewalk, she saw a dead bird, picked it up, looked at it and put it in her pocket. As far as he knew she had it with her for the rest of the day. Perhaps she was going to provide it a better resting place. Beautiful blooms. Peace, LaMon
Oh LaMon, this is harrowing. And beautiful. Just like “The Rabbit.” Thank you for sharing this with me! Xoxo
Thank you, Jennifer, I am happy when I see Bacon on the Bookshelf in my mail and your posts have lifted my spirits.
The photos are lovely and today’s poem is so fitting for the Easter season … dying, oh my, so many things are dying. How beautifully Mary Oliver captures in the metaphor of the rabbit what we watch die and how we are called to honor death, and yet, down the path is a nest, something being born, a resurrection, hope.
Thank you for this selection. One of her poems saved my life many years ago; it was quite a spiritual moment. Your posting helped me to recall that time and how we are saved by grace and poetry.
Enjoy the season and the blossoms and nature’s glory. We’re blooming here in California! Love to all,
Paulette
Mary Oliver saves my life, and daily. I love knowing that you feel the same way about her, Paulette. Thank you so much for being in touch. Xoxo