Thursday, September 15, 2022

Paws in the air

Every person, no matter what their wealth, is equally capable of practicing generosity.
~Thich Nhat Hanh


I thought about writing a generosity "chart poem," like I mentioned last week, but I am not sure how to rank generosities. Is forgiveness the greatest one? I could think myself into a muddle about this.

Instead I am pulling out Mary Oliver's generous Little Dog’s Rhapsody in the Night. Could there be a sweeter arrangement?



Little Dog’s Rhapsody in the Night
by Mary Oliver

He puts his cheek against mine
and makes small, expressive sounds.
And when I’m awake, or awake enough

he turns upside down, his four paws
in the air
and his eyes dark and fervent.

“Tell me you love me,” he says.

“Tell me again.”

Could there be a sweeter arrangement? Over and over
he gets to ask.
I get to tell.




************

Kathryn Apel has the Poetry Friday round-up. Thanks, Kat! I will be heading off on Friday to celebrate my dad's 75th birthday on Saturday. Catch you later!

13 comments:

KatApel - katswhiskers.wordpress.com said...

Have a joyful weekend of celebration, Tabatha. And thankyou for sharing this lovely poem - and adorable photo. (Perfect pairing!)

Denise Krebs said...

Happy birthday to your dad! Enjoy your weekend. I love this sweet Mary Oliver poem. Thank you for sharing it. And thanks again for hosting the poetry swap, with your sweet updates that acted as subtle reminders.

Michelle Kogan said...

Such a deliciously loving poem and pic too. Wishing you a lovely Birthday weekend with your Dad, thanks Tabatha!

Janice Scully said...

Amazing interview with Mary Oliver, one to return to, about spirituality and living poetry every day. I have recently been reading her work and admire her so!

Mary Lee said...

Now you have me missing dog-love! Cats just don't love on you (with any consistency beyond the random leg-rub) the way dogs do!

jama said...

Oh, I love that one. So sweet and loving. Oliver always gets it just right.

Linda B said...

Mary Oliver has left us so many gifts, best ways to look at our world. Thanks, Tabatha, a beautiful one from her.

Carol Varsalona said...

I love the interview with Mary Oliver and the poem, Tabatha. Thanks for this. Happy Birthday to your Dad. Enjoy the weekend!

Jone MacCulloch said...

This is beautiful. We are so lucky to have these interviews with Mary Oliver. Thank you for sharing.

Linda Mitchell said...

Such a delightful little poem. I need to share this one with my students! The truth of it makes me say, awwwwwwwww, right out loud.

laurasalas said...

Oooh. I have never wanted another dog as much as I do in this moment! <3

Robyn Hood Black said...

Perfect, isn't it? From one who used to have big dogs but is now celebrating a decade with a 3 1/2 pound Chihuahua who ran out in front of my car all those years ago...
(& Birthday wishes are in order, too? Happy Celebrating to you all!)

PATRICIA J FRANZ said...

Ahh, the generosity of a dog. Yes. :)