art, French art, Henri Lebasque, Les Nabis, Mary Oliver, Poetry, Post-impressionism

Mary Oliver: Sleeping in the Forest

Posted by At Sunnyside - Where Truth and Beauty Meet on
Henri Lebasque (1865-1937), Fillette et chevreaux en forêt de Pierrefonds, signed ‘Lebasque’ (lower left), oil on canvas 36 1/8 x 28¾ in. (92 x 72.7 cm.), Painted in 1907, Image Source: Christie’s 
SLEEPING IN THE FOREST

I thought the earth remembered me,
she took me back so tenderly,
arranging her dark skirts, her pockets
full of lichens and seeds.
I slept as never before, a stone on the river bed,
nothing between me and the white fire of the stars
but my thoughts, and they floated light as moths
among the branches of the perfect trees.
All night I heard the small kingdoms
breathing around me, the insects,
and the birds who do their work in the darkness.
All night I rose and fell, as if in water,
grappling with a luminous doom. By morning
I had vanished at least a dozen times
into something better.

-Mary Oliver

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Mary Oliver at poets.org

Henri Lebasque at wikiwand

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Henri Lebasque At Sunnyside

Henri Lebasque at Christie’s

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~Sunnyside

6 Comments Add yours

  1. Ashley's avatar Ashley says:
    March 14, 2024 at 8:17 am

    Such a beautiful poem. One of my all time favourites. 🙏

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. At Sunnyside - Where Truth and Beauty Meet's avatar At Sunnyside - Where Truth and Beauty Meet says:
      March 16, 2024 at 1:37 am

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Ashley. 🌻

      Like

      Reply
  2. Sheila Landry Designs's avatar Sheila Landry Designs says:
    March 14, 2024 at 8:33 am

    I am catching up today. :) Very pretty!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. At Sunnyside - Where Truth and Beauty Meet's avatar At Sunnyside - Where Truth and Beauty Meet says:
      March 16, 2024 at 1:36 am

      Have a great day, Sheila. 😎🌻

      Like

      Reply
  3. David Linebarger's avatar David Linebarger says:
    March 14, 2024 at 9:46 am

    Hard not to like every poem Oliver wrote. Small gems opening up into the natural world.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. At Sunnyside - Where Truth and Beauty Meet's avatar At Sunnyside - Where Truth and Beauty Meet says:
      March 16, 2024 at 1:34 am

      What a lovely description of her poetry! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, David. 🌻

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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