I accompany humming brook
with Mary Oliver
rattling around in my head
I see white curtains bracket her figure
at cluttered desk with beloved dog
and my mind sears
this photograph into my brain
her words lie gently on my tongue
play forward and backward
a surprise of sunshine
spreads over my shoulders and
I can hear her say, Understand
I have always wanted to know*
I get it Mary
that you are constantly
seeking and reaching and looking for
ways to chisel poems into being
how you take morning walks
but resolve to accept
that you must stay open to
a long wait
before a word arises
a sentence forms
a rhythm throbs
but you resolve to accept
that nothing
is for sure
I have been walking for a while now waiting and
am beginning to play with accept
I am beginning to Understand
*Bone by Mary Oliver
