I’ve admired Oliver’s poems for years. The spiritual sensitivity of her poems is palpable. But I only recently (i.e., two days ago!) discovered that she had “formalized” her spiritual sensitivities, if I can say that. I’m not sure which denomination she joined, although I’m guessing it was the Episcopal church.
Her halting baby steps into this new domain are quite touching and revealing. The poems, as always, are powerful and speak for themselves. This is one example:
Praying
It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.
from Thirst (Poems by Mary Oliver; Beacon Press: Boston, 2006, p. 37)
Here’s a news item – at least for me! Beacon Press books are published under the auspices of the Unitarian Universalist Church. Who knew?
Here’s an audio clip of Oliver reciting “Six Recognitions of the Lord“.