as quoted in After the Ecstasy, the Laundry... on page 23

When Death Comes

Mary Oliver

When death comes like the hungry bear in autumn; when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse to buy me, and snaps the purse shut; when death comes like the measles-pox; when death comes like an iceberg between the shoulder blades, I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering: what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness? And therefore I look upon everything as a brotherhood and a sisterhood, and I look upon time as no more than an idea, and I consider eternity as another possibility, and I think of each life as a flower, as common as a field daisy, and as singular, and each name a comfortable music in the mouth tending as all music does, toward silence, and each body a lion of courage, and something precious to the earth. When it's over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement. I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

friend olivia pointed out the last stanza as quoted... I thought about this stanza as we were leaving Nosara and driving back to San Jose. The scene that surrounded... the natural beauty.... made me feel like a bride married to amazement... and I wrapped these metaphors around and around... envisioned being married to the world... envisioned taking the world into my arms...

I really really really want to go camping... I hate to even call it camping... camping seems to require effort... I want to wander... gather a few things and then drive to a lovely isolated location... leave everything behind and just wander...

spring will come... i know she will...

the song says april... but... april/spring... same thing... but of course may stays... and i am may...mae

i like thinking of the earth and the seasons as female... makes me feel connected to her... like in a way i am her... because when i am alone with her i become her...and really i am her... we all are

its almost spring...

and i am a bride married to amazement.