Mary Oliver: Blackwater Pond

Today's poem, below. This is from Mary Oliver. Her poetry is simply staggering to me; hers is the voice of an amazing contemplative.

There's a website, linked on this blog page under "del.icio.us," where you can read more of her poetry.

At Blackwater Pond


At Blackwater Pond the tossed waters have settled

after a night of rain.

I dip my cupped hands. I drink

a long time. It tastes

like stone, leaves, fire. It falls cold

into my body, waking the bones. I hear them

deep inside me, whispering

oh what is that beautiful thing

that just happened?



Mary Oliver