Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year!



Snowy Night

Last night, an owl
in the blue dark
tossed
an indeterminate number

of carefully shaped sounds into
the world, in which,
a quarter of a mile away, I happened
to be standing.

I couldn’t tell
which one it was –
the barred or the great-horned
ship of the air –

it was that distant. But, anyway,
aren’t there moments
that are better than knowing something,
and sweeter? Snow was falling,

so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was nothing more

than prettiness. I suppose
if this were someone else’s story
they would have insisted on knowing
whatever is knowable – would have hurried

over the fields
to name it – the owl, I mean.
But it’s mine, this poem of the night,
and I just stood there, listening and holding out

my hands to the soft glitter
falling through the air. I love this world,
but not for its answers.
And I wish good luck to the owl,

whatever its name –
and I wish great welcome to the snow,
whatever its severe and comfortless
and beautiful meaning.

~ Mary Oliver ~

10 comments:

Lori Skoog said...

Perfect!

Happy New Year Victoria...to you, your family and those sweet critters.

Anonymous said...

I love Mary Oliver - and the photo at the end was lovely - may you and your horses and family and friends have an excellent New Year!

Grey Horse Matters said...

Wishing you and your family and critters a very healthy Happy New Year!

Calm, Forward, Straight said...

Lovely poem, thank you :)

All the best to you and your family this new year!

Rising Rainbow said...

Look at Siete's sweet face looking over the door. Love it!

Happy New Year, Victoria!

Deejbrown said...

Perfect. Happy New Year!

detroit dog said...

Beautiful. Happy New Year!

Wolfie said...

Best wishes, Victoria, to you and yours for 2011! Hope it's everything you imagine.

billie said...

Happy New Year!

John and Regina Zdravich said...

Great poem and beautiful photo! Happy New Year!!!