Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Poetry Friday: "Percy and Books"

I'm feeling exceptionally fond of Mary Oliver this week--so in honor of her, here's a favorite that never fails to make me smile, no matter how many times I've read it:


"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.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Molly,
    A priest friend of mine always quotes Mary Oliver. Which are your favorites of her books?

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  2. Aw i love the dog . . and the poem ;)

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  3. Hi Jean, the first Mary Oliver book I ever read probably remains my favorite--WHY I WAKE EARLY. She hasn't convinced me about the waking early part (I'm a total night owl!) but I do love the way she thinks about things!

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