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Sunday, December 16, 2012

Poem: "Making the House Ready for the Lord," by Mary Oliver


Dear Lord, I have swept and I have washed but
still nothing is as shining as it should be
for you. Under the sink, for example, is an
uproar of mice – it is the season of their
many children. What shall I do? And under the eaves
and through the walls the squirrels
have gnawed their ragged entrances – but it the season
when they need shelter, so what shall I do? And
the raccoon limps into the kitchen and opens the cupboard
while the dog snores, the cat holds the pillow;
what shall I do? Beautiful is the new snow falling
in the yard and the fox who is staring boldly
up the path, to the door. And I still believe you will
come, Lord; you will, when I speak to the fox,
the sparrow, the lost dog, the shivering sea-goose, know
that I am really speaking to you whenever I say,
as I do all morning and afternoon: Come in, Come in.

4 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Once Mary Oliver has come into my being, I am never the same. This is radical hospitality to which our Lord calls us. Thank you.

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    2. She has a miraculous way of touching people's hearts.

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