Why I wake early

Why I wake early
by Mary Oliver

Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who make the morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the windows of, even, the
miserable and crotchety–
best preacher that ever was,
dear star, that just happens
to be where you are in the universe
to keep us from ever-darkness,
to ease us with warm touching,
to hold us in the great hands of light–
good morning, good morning, good morning.
Watch, now, how I start the day
in happiness, in kindness.

This is the title poem of Mary Oliver’s 2004 collection of her poetry by the same name. I was reminded of this after savoring a new documentary of her life, Saved by the Beauty of the World (watch on PBS “American Masters”, Tuesday, August 25th). Mary has been both maligned and revered for the deceptive simplicity of her poems, her focus on the natural world, and the beauty she found there. I’m sure you can guess which position I take.
 
Watch, now, how I start the day / in happiness, in kindness. 
May it be the same for you.

Grace and peace, 

Anita Sorenson

Pastor for Spiritual Formation