Thursday, April 11, 2013

Mary Oliver, Percy, and Books

In her new book, poet Mary Oliver expresses gratitude for her dog, Percy.
Mary Oliver and her dog Percy
Photo source: The Boston Globe

April is National Poetry Month and I would be remiss in not mentioning it and posting at least one poem. I opened a Mary Oliver book of poetry at random and will share this one with you -- and it just happens to be about books!

Percy and Books

Percy does not like it when I read a book.
He puts his face over the top of it and moans.
He rolls his eyes, sometimes he sneezes.
The sun is up, he says, and the wind is down.
The tide is out and the neighbor's dogs are playing.
But Percy, I say. Ideas! The elegance of language!
The insights, the funniness, the beautiful stories
that rise and fall and turn into strength, or courage.

Books? says Percy. I ate one once, and it was enough.
Let's go.


                                ---Mary Oliver
                                                    From Red Bird (2008)

2 comments:

  1. Wonderful Mary Oliver piece to post for National Poetry month. Thank you, Belle.

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    Replies
    1. You are welcome, Penny. Ms. Oliver is one of my favorites!

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