THE FIST
~ by Mary OliverThere are days
when the sun goes down
like a fist,
though of courseif you see anything
in the heavens
in this way
you had better getyour eyes checked
or, better still,
your diminished spirit.
The heavenshave no fist,
or wouldn’t they have been
shaking it
for a thousand years now,and even
longer than that,
at the dull, brutish
ways of mankind—heaven’s own
creation?
Instead: such patience!
Such willingnessto let us continue!
To hear,
little by little,
the voices—only, so far, in
pockets of the world—
suggesting
the possibilitiesof peace?
Keep looking.
Behold, how the fist opens
with invitation.
(from Thirst, Beacon Press, 2006)
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