Photo Credit - Rachel Giese Brown

Mary Jane Oliver (September 10, 1935 – January 17, 2019) was an American poet who won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize.^[1] In 2007 The New York Times described her as "far and away, this country's best-selling poet."
(Wikipedia)

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 I like sitting in a book store drinking coffee and reading poetry. Often I read and reread Mary Oliver, whose poetry teaches me about life, nature and its flow .  When I read her, I feel as if  we are best friends.  She died recently and I hope to honor her with my poem.




DRINKING COFFEE WITH MARY OLIVER

I take little sips.

Black, potent elixir opens my mind

Like an opening stage curtain
Slowly revealing

Her wise yet simple words.

"I prefer tea." she says,

"It's more like sweet 'n bitter truth.

Coffee just tries to wake us up.

As much as you drink, have you awakened?"

I look down, shrug. 

My silence grows so loud

She can hear my thoughts

About the darkness dimming earth -

Evil growing like the roots of weeds.

"It sounds like you're living a nightmare.

In death we have no dreams, no choices.

Trust me, living is better.

If it's dark, light a fire that enlightens. 

Your heart will love the heat."

Abruptly, she's gone.

I'm left alone

With all my questions. 

For Poets United.