Thirst: A Duet with Mary Oliver

My books often wait like little girls backstage at a dance recital for their cue to leap into the spotlight. Last night at 2 a.m. I opened Mary Oliver's Thirst for the first time. This is a winter of the soul book, in which spring forces its first tentative bulbs to the surface. Its epilogue, the title poem of the book, is also my epilogue to a long, dark dormancy from which I am emerging. In this kindred spirit, I received Mary Oliver's incantation as a call-and-response to my own. And so I offer you this duet of thirst: first mine, then Mary Oliver's. I offer them as blessings for your burdens, your peace and your sanctity.

Thirst

By Sage Cohen

We understand least
what we hold closest.

Cup contains, water resists.
Thirst: a lineage of cups

with no trust in the future.
What wakes you up in the night

mouth empty, sheets blank
might be the faucet’s dumb neck

arched with a brassy assurance
that you have not yet learned to tap.

Thirst

By Mary Oliver

Another morning and I wake up with thirst
for the goodness I do not have. I walk
out to the pond and all the way God has
given us such beautiful lessons. Oh Lord, I
was never  a quick scholar but sulked
and hunched over my books past the
hour and the bell; grant me, in your
mercy, a little more time. Love for the
earth and love for you are having such a
long conversation in my heart. Who
knows what will finally happen or
where I will be sent, yet already I have
given a great many things away, expect-
ing to be told to pack nothing, except the
prayers which, with this thirst, I am
slowly learning.

Comments

[jen lemen]

i will memorize both as each reflects what is happening in my own heart. thank you.

[Kali Bird Isis]

I'm enjoying your site. Thanks for the beautiful poems. Check out my blog, http://thethymelysage.blogspot.com for some of my favorite poetry. I'll return here! Thanks....Kali

[Ned]

Beautiful poem, Sage. I stumbled onto your blog while searching for Mary Oliver. Thank you!