Sleeping In The Forest - A poem by Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver - Sleeping In The Forest

I thought the earth remembered me,
she took me back so tenderly,
arranging her dark skirts, her pockets
full of lichens and seeds.
I slept as never before, a stone on the river bed,
nothing between me and the white fire of the stars
but my thoughts, and they floated light as moths
among the branches of the perfect trees.
All night I heard the small kingdoms
breathing around me, the insects,
and the birds who do their work in the darkness.
All night I rose and fell, as if in water,
grappling with a luminous doom. By morning
I had vanished at least a dozen times
into something better.

Added: on September 26th, 2005 at 12:25 PM | Viewed: 6913 times | Comments (4)

Sleeping In The Forest - Comments and Information
Poet: Mary Oliver Poem: Sleeping In The Forest Poem of the Day on: Mar 22 2006 Comment 4 of 4, added on April 17th, 2007 at 12:07 AM. This was my introduction to Mary's poems, and I've since collected all of her books. Some poems, as this one, continue to conjure up beautiful pictures in my mind with each reading... of what is "real" and what is deeply mysterious. I love "Pink Moon, the Pond", as it also leaps back and forth between conscious awareness to dream. Joyce Bonner from United States Comment 3 of 4, added on October 4th, 2005 at 11:23 AM. This poem is excellent. It is a very Romantic poem. With certain elements of Transcendentalism in it. It's great! Shireen Mayjar from New Zealand Comment 2 of 4, added on September 26th, 2005 at 12:25 PM. After reading Mary Oliver's poems, I pay attention to those moments spend in the nature. I love the poem Sleeping in the forest... The Blue Dragonfly I thought this place on earth; This lake might have remembered me I Sat on the edge of the bank immobile. Like the stone laying beside me Between me and the vast blue sky; Few clouds are keeping me company The winds faithful as always whispering in my ears A swirl in the meadow like a mini tornado; Nothing else but my thoughts drifting away; Tall dark green pine trees surrounded me. I could hear all that nature has to offer The merry-go-round of Birds catching flies As did a fish creating ripples in the water; The blue dragonfly spinning in the air Dancing with a partner; A perfect love affair. A deer resting in the shadow that you could barely see Only visible where his pointing ears scrutinizing all around him Or chasing mosquitoes may be. By Sundown I could not tally the many times That I enter the twilight zone a space between daydream and the reality Some alternate state that I did carry into the night To be now transform into a night dream. . . Patrick Albouy Organowsky © 2004 Patrick Albouy More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Sleeping In The Forest, has received 4 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Mary Oliver with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!

Poem Info
Sleeping In The Forest Last read: 2008-07-20 11:31:46 Poem of the Day on: Mar 22 2006 Viewed 6913 times. Added on September 26th, 2005 at 12:25 PM.

Oliver Info
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