Violets

Down by the rumbling creek and the tall trees --
where I went truant from school three days a week
and therefore broke the record --
there were violets as easy in their lives
as anything you have ever seen
or leaned down to intake the sweet breath of.
Later, when the necessary houses were built
they were gone, and who would give significance
to their absence.
Oh, violets, you did signify, and what shall take
your place?
                                         Mary Oliver

ritual

Monday floors are cleaned

Mary Oliver

Hearing Mary Oliver read
for an hour in a warm tight room.

Mentioning violets, pain and living.

Hearing her recite the poem read to us the day of the Memorial service.