among the trees

I was told that Mary Oliver, during one of her poetry readings, was asked the question about what she thought about kissing on a first date. She, a 75 year old woman, responded, "Why wait till the first date?" i love it her sassiness, and her writings. this poem brings delight, and simply moves me.

among the trees

when i am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust,

equally the beech, the oaks, and the pines,

they give off such hints of gladness.

i would almost say that they save me, and daily.

i am so distant from the hope of myself,

in which i have goodness, and discernment,

and never hurry through the world

but walk slowly, and bow often.

around me the trees stir in their leaves

and call out, "stay awhile."

the light flows from their branches.

and they call again, "its simple," they say,

"and you too have come

into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled

with light, and to shine."

Mary Oliver