You are welcomed to to another poem from Nan Harty’s pen. The ODE TO MARY OLIVER is a perfect companion to other FOR THE EARTH posts. Nan’s poem is a wonderful reminder of the ways we are both connected to nature and the variety of ways we experience and participate in nature. This poem invites us to reflect on the times when we have sensed nature in our lives.
Nan Harty has written poetry for over twenty years with themes of nature, place, and people. She is a “community poet” who gathers with other poets to share in libraries, bookstores, and living rooms all over the Northwest..
Tim
ODE TO MARY OLIVER
By Nan Hardy
She stood in meadows and heard the grass grow-
She lay down in the grass to listen to the sparrow sing.
She listened for years until she could hear the heartbeats of small stones.
She could almost hear the sound of roses singing.
She drank pond water flavored with the feet of ducks.
She was a tree hugger.
She said trees were kind and called them her sisters.
She was in love with the ocean.
She said her teachers included the wind in the trees,
water waves, Red Bird, and otter. She said take your heart to the forest,
there you will be dazzled by blue iris, weeds, a few small stones.
Patch a few words together, don’t try to be elaborate.
She said she was scorned for using the word beautiful.
Take your rocks and throw them at me then.
I say her poems are beautiful.
Inspired by Mary Oliver and includes specific phrases from multiple poems of hers
CREDITS:
Writer: Nan Harty
Photographers: Keith Olson, Phtoangel -From Freepik
Graphic Designer: Tim Olson
Editor: Lorelie & Tim Olson
NESTER url: https://notesfromanester.com
To read Nan Harty’s previous poem, “A Chair in the Sun” – click here
Lovely images and feelings 💕