by Mary Oliver
This morning and blessed them.
two mockingbirds When the gods rose
in the green fields out of their mortal bodies,
were spinning and tossing like a million particles of water
the white ribbons from a fountain,
of their songs the light
into the air. swept into all the corners
I had nothing of the cottage,
better to do and the old couple,
than listen. shaken with understanding,
I mean this bowed down ---
seriously. but still they asked for nothing
In Greece, beyond the difficult life
a long time ago, which they had already.
an old couple And the gods smiled as they vanished,
opened their door clapping their great wings.
to two strangers Wherever it was
who were, I was supposed to be
it soon appeared, this morning ---
not men at all, whatever it was I said
but gods, I would be doing---
It is my favorite story--- I was standing
how the old couple at the edge of the field---
had almost nothing to give I was hurrying
but their willingness through my own soul,
to be attentive--- opening its dark doors---
and for this alone I was leaning out;
the gods loved them I was listening.
from Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver
Penguin, 2017 
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