Local Lit

All Life Rising

Jeannie Roberts |

Yes, a person wants to stand in a happy place, in a poem. If the world were only pain and logic, who would want it?   
  ―Two lines from the poem "Singapore" by Mary Oliver, HOUSE OF LIGHT


 

The afternoon was pleasant, full of favor,
light, and you. How content to be sitting,
reading your poetry,  

absorbing each line with ease, agreement, standing
in poems  surrounded by all life rising: flowers,
Buddha, black bear.  

Yes, a person wants to stand in a happy
place, in a poem,
in life, by dwelling deeply 
in the moment, letting  

joy lead, choosing to see how each life
shines; after all,  if the world were only pain
and logic, who would want it?

Jeannie E. Roberts lives near Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Her fourth book, Romp and Ceremony is forthcoming from Finishing Line Press. She is also the author of Beyond Bulrush (Lit Fest Press, 2015), Nature of it All, a poetry chapbook (Finishing Line Press, 2013). Learn more about Jeannie at www.jrcreative.biz.