My urge to identify/clarify/justify my understanding of my spirituality/religion/values in this world has been bubbling to the surface more and more these days. My stepmother/mother/sister/friend has always been a guide for me in this way. I have such disdain for so many that use religion as a platform for spewing hatred and narrow-minded views of our humanity, but this woman walks the walk. I have an incredible amount of respect for her. In a quest for a poem as a gift, I searched through the book A Thousand Mornings after finding a poem about seeking a place on high in the mountains (Oliver, 2012) caught my eye. I searched from back to front feeling sure the good ones would be in the way back 😉 Of course, the one that leapt at me with certainty was in the way front (see above). I love everything about this poem, and the response from my sweet Irene was just as I imagined it would be. Love and a little serendipity…a gift from the creator.
I found the task of giving the gift of a poem and writing about it inspiring. What an amazing way for young poets to build community and truly share poetry! Imagine a poetry “gift exchange” in early to late spring, just as the relationships in a classroom setting are growing cold and unforgiving, and the natural world is coming alive. We might all take a second glance at a poem or see it from a new perspective because a classmate shared their connection to it. How powerful to get a poem from a teacher as well.
I so wish I had the gift of time to explore poetry the way I am compelled to.
Maybe in my next lifetime.
Oliver, M. (2012). A thousand mornings. New York: Penguin Press, 2012.
Words Matter 
Thank you for sharing such a special part of your life and identity! I really enjoyed reading this poem and your response from your friend was so sweet! As a person of faith, I 100% agree that it frustrates me when people who claim to be (insert religion) and just use it as a platform for hatred. That is soooo not how I believe the world should be or what religion should be. I’d love to chat with you more about it! (maybe find more poetry about it too!)
LikeLike
Meant to share this with you in class, but this seems like a good of a place too. Saw this tweet the other day and thought of how your school partners with Deerfield Assisted Living facility. Seems like quite an opportunity to position poetry as a gift: https://twitter.com/dgrock/status/1106673806700146688?s=12, which as you say in your post is just as inspiring for the poem giver as poem receiver. [Side note: Also loved the inclusion of the text message. Such a fun juxtaposition with the seriousness, old-school nature of Mary Oliver’s poetry.]
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the idea of poetry as a gift change. I feel like it can be more personal and hit deeper than just a present or a gift card. I also like the idea of posting it in public places for people to read and ponder.
LikeLiked by 1 person