A muskrat paw - 1

His father a trapper
what a thought, amazing,
Opening his hand, in wonderment,
such soft flesh, so small, so perfect.
 
A muskrat paw in my pants pocket
a hidden treasure, a secret;
Maybe I should have told mom
before laundry day…
 
-----------------------  

December 10, 2022

A muskrat paw - 1

 

On starting to reread Mary Oliver’s book, American Primitive,

about a muskrat paw from one of my 6^th grade classmates,

Mound, MN, October 1971

&

July 19, 2006

A muskrat paw

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/07/muskrat-paw.html

&

April 4, 2022

Just a whisper of heather

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/just-whisper-of-heather.html

&

edited April 4, 2022

The largeness of the universe

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-largeness-of-universe.html

edited April 3, 2022

The largeness of the world – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-largeness-of-world-v3.html

edited April 3, 2022

The largeness of the world – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-largeness-of-world-v2.html

April 2, 2022

The largeness of the world

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-largeness-of-world.html

written after listening again to 2015 interview with Mary Oliver

On Being with Krista Tippett, on Florida Public Radio

&

edited February 21, 2022

to be more fully alive – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/to-be-more-fully-alive-v3.html

&

edited February 21, 2022

Night in New Orleans - v5

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/night-in-new-orleans-new-awlins-v5.html

&

edited February 20, 2022

Ten Feet Overhead – v13

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/ten-feet-overhead-v13.html

edited February 20, 2022

Ten Feet Overhead – v12

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/ten-feet-overhead-v12.html

edited September 28, 2017

ten feet overhead – v11

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/09/ten-feet-overhead-v11.html

&

edited February 20, 2022

to be more fully alive – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/to-be-more-fully-alive-v2.html

February 20, 2022

to be more fully alive

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/to-be-more-fully-alive.html

&
edited February 20, 2022

sitting on the floor – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/sitting-on-floor-v2.html

edited February 20, 2022

sitting on the floor

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/sitting-on-floor.html

written after listening again to 2015 interview with Mary Oliver

On Being with Krista Tippett,

especially where she talked about skipping school to

take books with her in her knapsack into the woods

edited/new February 3, 2022

entering a world of wonders

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/entering-world-of-wonder.html

edited February 3, 2022

Descending the stairs – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/descending-stairs-v2.html

&

edited February 20, 2022

my refuge on the island – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/my-refuge-on-island-v3.html

(adding 1^st and 2^nd stanza)

edited February 20, 2022

my refuge on the island – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/my-refuge-on-island-v2.html

merged February 20, 2022

my refuge on the island

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/my-refuge-on-island.html

February 19, 2022

my refuge on the island – pt 3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/my-refuge-on-island-pt-3.html

February 19, 2022

my refuge on the island – pt 2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/my-refuge-on-island-pt-2.html

February 19, 2022

my refuge on the island – pt 1

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/my-refuge-on-island-pt-1.html

cabin on Blueberry Island in Swains Lake,

Barrington, NH

summer of 2000

written after reading, “Building the House”,

by Mary Oliver

&

edited February 18, 2022

A watch – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/a-watch-v2.html

&

edited February 18, 2022

I’ve never been to Provincetown – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/ive-never-been-to-provincetown-v2.html

&

edited February 18, 2022

I have crossed his fence – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/i-have-crossed-his-fence-v3.html

&

February 18, 2022

gifted by pulling over

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/gifted-by-pulling-over.html

Bayard Conservation Area

Green Cove Springs, FL

Route 16

&

edited February 18, 2022

Something ancient, sacred – v7

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v7.html

&

edited February 16, 2022

Gathering checkerberries – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/gathering-checkerberries-v2.html

February 15, 2022

Gathering checkerberries

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/gathering-checkerberries.html

UCC Second Congregational Church, Westfield MA

probably about 1970 or 1971

&

February 16, 2022

The carpet wet with her tears

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-carpet-wet-with-her-tears.html

&

edited February 15, 2022

Sometimes a pen – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/sometimes-pen-v2.html

&

edited February 15, 2022

where they bedded for the night – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/where-they-bedded-for-night-v2.html

Claremont, NH, 1977

&

edited February 15, 2022

Diving, rising, landing – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/diving-rising-landing-v2.html

&

edited February 15, 2022

I have crossed his fence – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/i-have-crossed-his-fence-v2.html

February 15, 2022

I have crossed his fence

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/i-have-crossed-his-fence.html

About poem, "Mending Wall",

by Robert Frost

&

February 15, 2022

Diving, rising, landing

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/diving-rising-landing.html

&

edited/merged February 15, 2022

on the shore of the Loch = 2 – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/on-shore-of-loch-2-v2.html
February 14, 2022

on the shore of the Loch - 2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/on-shore-of-loch.html

edited July 23, 2015

Urughart – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/07/urughart-v3.html

(editing version 2)

edited April 21, 2015

Urughart – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/urughart-v2.html

Standing on the edge of Loch Ness, 1999

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2005/08/loch-ness.html

May 7, 2010
On the Shore of the Loch

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/05/on-shore-of-loch.html

2/25/06 19:05

Urughart

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/02/urquhart.html

1999 trip to Scotland

&

February 14, 2022

A watch
https://raymondafoss.blogsp ot.com/2022/02/a-watch.html

1994 or 1995-ish

Martha’s Vineyard

&

February 14, 2022

I’ve never been to Provincetown

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/ive-never-been-to-provincetown.html

written after listening to 2015 interview with Mary Oliver

On Being with Krista Tippett,

about her move to Florida from Provincetown, Massachusetts

&

February 14, 2022

That’s Mine

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/thats-mine.html

1972 vacation on Wells Beach, Wells, Maine

&

February 14, 2022

Looking out Burns’ window

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/looking-out-burns-window.html

1999 trip to Scotland

&

edited February 14, 2022

Perched on my left hand – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/perched-on-my-left-hand-v2.html

2/13/2022

Perched on my left hand

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/perched-on-my-left-hand.html

written after reading "The Summer Day"

by Mary Oliver

photo of dragonfly on my finger 8/21/2020

Sheila Nadile Porath - ty. I was very aware that this was a gift, a singular moment. I very gently lifted the dragonfly from the grass and it was on my right hand. I moved it to my left hand to take the shots and videos. I so wanted it to stay longer but I could tell how nervous it was, as its wings were moving. That was like the white admiral butterfly covered in raindrops a few days earlier. It had shown its nervousness with its tongue going in and out. In both cases, I really had to still myself in spite of my heart racing. Trying to be collaborator not predator to get the shots.

&

February 13, 2022

Sometimes a pen

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/sometimes-pen.html

written while listening to rebroadcast of 2015 interview with Mary Oliver

On Being with Krista Tippett

&

February 13, 2022

the arch of their backs

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-arch-of-their-backs.html

written a few days after reading "Humpbacks"

by Mary Oliver

&

February 12, 2022

surrounding the lake, the woodlands

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/surrounding-lake-woodlands.html

written after reading "In Blackwater Woods",

by Mary Oliver

&

February 12, 2022

leftover chowder

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/leftover-chowder.html

written after reading “Bluefish”,

by Mary Oliver

written about making chowder on Martha’s Vineyard

in the mid-1990’s

&

edited February 12, 2022

A Cup of Berries – v5

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/a-cup-of-berries-v5.html

edited February 11, 2022

living goblets – v4

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/living-goblets-v4.html
Edited after reading "Blackberries",

by Mary Oliver

&

edited November 28, 2019

living goblets – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-v3.html

edited November 27, 2019

living goblets – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-v2.html

November 27, 2019

living goblets

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-of-juice-of-nectar-no.html

&

edited November 28, 2019

A Cup of Berries – v4

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/a-cup-of-berries-v4.html

edited August 22, 2019

A Cup of Berries – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/08/a-cup-of-berries-v3.html

edited June 21, 2014

A Cup of Berries – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-cup-of-berries-v2.html

August 10, 2008

A Cup of Berries

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/08/cup-of-berries.html

&

edited February 10, 2022

Apricot and Periwinkle – v7

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/apricot-and-periwinkle-v7.html

edited after reading “Little Sister Pond”,

by Mary Oliver

&

edited March 21, 2021

Apricot and Periwinkle - v6

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/03/apricot-and-periwinkle-v6.html

edited May 5, 2018

Apricot and Periwinkle – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/05/apricot-and-periwinkle-v5.html

(editing version 4, adding 1^st stanza)

edited September 28, 2017

Apricot and Periwinkle – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/09/apricot-and-periwinkle-v4.html

edited January 18, 2016

Apricot and Periwinkle – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/apricot-and-periwinkle-v3.html

(merging edits to version 2 and original)

edited June 21, 2014

Apricot and Periwinkle – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/apricot-and-periwinkle-v2.html
Written 8/28/00 at 10:20 at night

Apricot and Periwinkle

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/sunset-seeing-colors.html

Written 8/28/00 at 10:20 at night 

Swain’s Lake, Barrington, NH

&

February 10, 2022

where they bedded for the night

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/where-they-bedded-for-night.html

written after reading “Little Sister Pond”,

by Mary Oliver

&

Edited February 10, 2022

something ancient, sacred - v6

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v6.html

February 10, 2022

&

Gathering another branch

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/gathering-another-branch.html

written after reading "A Meeting"

by Mary Oliver

&

edited February 8, 2022

Building their nest – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/building-their-nest-v2.html

February 7, 2022

Building their nest

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/building-their-nest.html

&

edited February 10, 2022

something ancient, sacred – v5

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v5.html

edited February 10, 2022

something ancient, sacred – v4

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v4.html

edited February 9, 2022

something ancient, sacred – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v3.html

edited after reading, “Crossing the Swamp”,

by Mary Oliver

&

Edited October 19, 2013

something ancient, sacred – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/something-ancient-sacred-v2.html

July 21, 2013

something ancient, sacred

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/07/something-ancient-sacred.html

about fishing trip

July 17, 2013

&

edited February 9, 2022

drawn to the source – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/drawn-to-source-v2.html

February 9, 2022

drawn to the source

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/drawn-to-source.html

written after reading, “The Fish” and

“Honey at the Table”,

by Mary Oliver

&

edited February 9, 2022

Wooing the Darkness to Sleep – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/wooing-darkness-to-sleep-v2.html

February 9, 2022

Wooing the Darkness to Sleep

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/wooing-darkness-to-sleep.html

written after reading, “White Night”,

by Mary Oliver

&

edited February 9, 2022

Her Lady Slipper – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/her-lady-slipper-v3.html

edited after reading “May”,

by Mary Oliver

&

edited February 9, 2022

at the edge of the lake – v4

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake-v4.html

edited February 9, 2022

at the edge of the lake – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake-v3.html

edited February 9, 2022

at the edge of the lake – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake-v2.html

edited February 9, 2022

onto the water – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/onto-water-v2.html

February 8, 2022

onto the water

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/onto-water.html

about summer 2000,

written after reading "Blossom"

by Mary Oliver

&

February 8, 2022

at the edge of the lake

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake.html

about summer 2000,

written after reading "Morning on Great Pond"

by Mary Oliver

&

edited February 8, 2022

in the woods I wandered – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-woods-i-wandered-v3.html

edited February 8, 2022

in the woods I wandered – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-woods-i-wandered-v2.html

February 8, 2022

in the woods I wandered

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-woods-i-wandered.html

written after reading “Spring”

by Mary Oliver

&

edited February 8, 2022

The bramble enticing – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-bramble-enticing-v2.html

February 8, 2022

the bramble enticing

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-bramble-enticing.html

Written after reading "Skunk Cabbage"

by Mary Oliver

&

February 6, 2022

Diatomaceous earth

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/diatomaceous-earth.html

Written after reading "Rain in Ohio",

By Mary Oliver

&

February 6, 2022

The raptors, their carrion

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-raptors-their-carrion.html

Written after reading "Vultures" by Mary Oliver.

&

January 3, 2022

A squadron of geese

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/a-squadron-of-geese.html

written after reading Clapp’s Brook by Mary Oliver

&

January 3, 2022

The bear cub

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-bear-cub.html

About drive out of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

after 2019 Stars Over Katahdin dark skies event. 

Drafted after reading first part of poem "Clapp's Brook" by Mary Oliver.

 

------------

poetry, nature, pool, memories,

 

#poetry #nature #pool #memories

 

-----------

poetry, Florida, nature, raptors, birds, carrion,

 

#poetry #Florida #nature #raptors #birds #carrion

 

-------------

poetry, blackberry, blackberries, nature, harvest, bramble,

 

#poetry #Blackberry #blackberries #nature #harvest #bramble

 

-------------

poetry, walk, woods, explore, exploration,

 

#poetry #walk #woods #explore #exploration

 

---------------

poetry, dawn, God, promise, lake, night, darkness, sunrise, sleep, wake, circadian rhythm,

 

#poetry #dawn #God #promise #lake #night #darkness #sunrise #sleep #wake

 

---------------

poetry, God, nature, humanity, connection, woods, table, food, hunger, fish, honey, Mary Oliver,

 

#poetry #God #nature #humanity #connection #woods #table #food #hunger #fish #honey #MaryOliver

 

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

 

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poetry, Faith, home, hope, house, leaves, light, Nature, Maine, orange, Poetry Where You Live, sky, sun, water, rain, thunder, forest,

 

#poetry #Faith #home #hope #leaves #light #Nature #ME #sky #sun #water #memory #forest #ancestor

 

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poetry, God, seagull, flight, flying, wings, hawks, nature, raptors, birds, creation, Florida, osprey, nest,

 

#poetry #God #flight #flying #wings #hawks #Florida #nature #raptors #birds #creation #osprey #nest

 

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poetry, blackberries, blood, colors, creator, crimson, Faith, Family, fingers, fire, fruit, God, hands, hope, Nature, raspberries, red, ripe, summer, Lori Eldridge,

 

#poetry #blackberries #blood #colors #crimson #Faith #Family #fingers #fire #fruit #God #hands #Nature #raspberries #ripe #summer

 

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poetry, nature, table, food, fish, chowder, memory, Martha’s Vineyard, Mary Oliver, watch,

 

#poetry #nature #table #food #fish #MaryOliver #chowder #MarthasVineyard #memory #watch

 

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poetry, river, lake, swamp, bog, nature, cycle, Mary Oliver, water, beaver, God, creation,

 

#poetry #river #lake #swamp #bog #nature #cycle #MaryOliver #water #beaver #God #creation

 

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poetry, nature, whales, memory, Mary Oliver,

 

#poetry #nature #whales #MaryOliver #memory

 

------------

poetry, writing, Mary Oliver, inspiration, nature, God, faith, family,

 

#poetry #writing #MaryOliver #inspiration #nature #God #faith #family

 

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poetry, writing, Mary Oliver, nature, God, dragonfly, closeup, wings, eyes,

 

#poetry #writing #MaryOliver #inspiration #nature #dragonfly #wings #eyes

 

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poetry, Burns, Robert Burns, Scotland, ancestry, Scottish, birthplace, home,

 

#poetry #Burns #RobertBurns #Scotland #ancestry #Scottish #birthplace #home

 

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poetry, Wells, Maine, lobster, trap, summer, treasure, fishing,

 

#poetry #Wells #Maine #lobster #trap #summer #treasure #fishing

 

----------------

poetry, nature, Mary Oliver, New England, Florida, seasons, beach, woods, Martha's Vineyard,

 

#poetry #nature #MaryOliver #NewEngland #Florida #seasons #beach #woods #MarthasVineyard

 

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poetry, nature, writing, Martha’s Vineyard,

 

#poetry #nature #writing #MarthasVineyard

 

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poetry, Robert Burns, Scotland, ancestry, Scottish, Loch Ness, nature, Loch Ness Monster, urquhart castle,

 

#poetry #RobertBurns #Scotland #ancestry #Scottish #LochNess #nature #LochNessMonster

# UrquhartCastle

 

memories, Scotland, Loch Ness, Raymond A. Foss, Poetry Where You Live, nature, wind, water, mist, fog, waves, sight, smell, senses, rock,

 

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poetry, Robert Frost, Mending Wall, Mary Oliver, stones, stone walls, walking, woods, writing,

 

#poetry #RobertFrost #MendingWall #MaryOliver #stones #stonewalls #walking #woods #writing

 

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poetry, God, church, faith, family, nature, checkerberries, terrarium, Christmas, gifts, memories,

 

#poetry #God #church #faith #family #nature #checkerberries #terrarium #Christmas #gifts #memories

 

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poetry, Faith, home, hope, house, leaves, light, Nature, Poetry Where You Live, sky, sun, water, rain, thunder, forest, woods, writing, God,

 

#poetry #Faith #home #hope #leaves #light #Nature #Poetry #sky #sun #water #memory #forest #ancestor #woods #writing #God

 

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poetry, walk, woods, exploration, Florida, mangrove, swamp, water, forest,

 

#poetry #walk #woods #explore #exploration #Florida #mangrove #swamp #water #forest

 

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poetry, nature, Mary Oliver, Martha’s Vineyard, memory, watch, beach, waves, writing,

 

#poetry #nature #MaryOliver #MarthasVineyard #memory #watch #beach #waves #writing

-----------------

 

poetry, lake, cabin, writing, refuge, sanctuary, water, nature, house, Mary Oliver, Walden, Thoreau, Frost, summer, canoe,

 

#poetry #lake #cabin #writing #refuge #sanctuary #water #nature #house #MaryOliver #Walden #Thoreau #Frost #summer #canoe

 

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poetry, blue, body, Canoe, creator, eyes, Faith, feather, feet, God, hope, life, light, Nature, heron, water, wings,

 

#poetry #body #canoe #creator #eyes #heron #feather #feet #God #hope #life #light #Nature #water #wings

 

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Poetry, words, books, biography, adventure, discovery, joy, Mary Oliver, history, memories,

 

#poetry #words #books #biography #adventure #discovery #joy #MaryOliver #history #memory

 

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poetry, writing, Mary Oliver, inspiration, nature, God, faith, family, Krista Tippett, On Being,

 

#poetry #writing #MaryOliver #inspiration #nature #God #faith #family #KristaTippett #OnBeing

 

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poetry, Robert Burns, Scotland, ancestry, Scottish, nature, heather, ancestry, memory, Highlands,

 

#poetry #RobertBurns #Scotland #ancestry #Scottish #nature #heather #memory #Highlands

 

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poetry, writing, Mary Oliver, inspiration, nature, God, faith, family,

 

#poetry #writing #MaryOliver #inspiration #nature #God #faith #family