is where
in the pinewoods
in the moments between
the darkness
and first light
two deer
came walking down the hill
and when they saw me
they said to each other, okay,
this one is okay,
let’s see who she is
and why she is sitting
on the ground like that,
so quiet, as if
asleep, or in a dream,
but, anyway, harmless;
and so they came
on their slender legs
and gazed upon me
not unlike the way
I go out to the dunes and look
and look and look
into the faces of the flowers;
and then one of them leaned forward
and nuzzled my hand, and what can my life
bring to me that could exceed
that brief moment?
For twenty years
I have gone every day to the same woods,
not waiting, exactly, just lingering.
Such gifts, bestowed,
can’t be repeated.
If you want to talk about this
come to visit. I live in the house
near the corner, which I have named
Gratitude.
All our precious moments are alive in us. Even although we are no longer living them, they are there for us to connect to. They have become a part of us.
What does this poem say to you?
It actually brought back memories to me of a trip to America in my twenties and walking in the redwood forests and seeing deer there. It was so peaceful.
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It’s so true Val. The way certain memories made you feel is never forgotten.
Diana xo
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Lovely poem. So near to my heart….time in nature. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you–I love Mary Oliver and had not seen this before. I’m going to sit on this one for a while and let it settle in. Thank you!
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That would be a special moment, indeed. Thanks for the share.
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Thanks Nancy for joining in this moment 🙂
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This poem stirred my insides like nothing I have ever read before, I could feel the same peace this person felt, of being one with nature, especially when the deer started nuzzling her hand. I would definitely want to recapture a moment like that!
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