Holds Upon Happiness

Jane Kenyon wrote four volumes of poetry and was New Hampshire’s poet laureate at the time of her death. Her poetry was described as “acutely faithful to the familiarities and mysteries of home life, and it is distinguished by intense calmness in the face of routine disappointments and tragedies.” We lie back to back. Curtainslift and fall,like the chest of someone sleeping.Wind moves the leaves of the box elder;they show their light undersides,turning all at oncelike a school of fish.Suddenly I understand that I am happy.For months this feeling has been coming closer, stoppingfor short visits, like a timid suitor.The SuitorJane Kenyon

Grace Paley was an American short story writer, poet, teacher, and activist. She was born to Ukrainian immigrants in the Bronx. The family spoke Russian and Yiddish at home and Paley grew up between the old and the new cultures. Paley used conversation and dialect to inform her characters. She wrote what she knew and told deceptively simple stories. While mainly known for her short stories, Paley also published a number of volumes of poetry. Here I am in the garden laughingan old woman with heavy breastsand a nicely mapped facehow did this happenwell that's who I wanted to beat last a womanin the old style sittingstout thighs apart undera…

Today’s poem is by Wendell Berry. His poetry “celebrates the holiness of life and everyday miracles often taken for granted.” While Berry first gained literary renown for his poetry, he went on to publish essays and novels. Berry’s strong belief in the necessity of community and living in harmony with the earth permeates his writing. Sometimes hidden from mein daily custom and trust,so that I live by you unawareas by the beating of my heart,suddenly you flare in my sight,a wild rose blooming at the edgeof thicket, grace and lightwhere yesterday was only shade,and once more I am blessed, choosingagain what I chose before.The Wild RoseWendell Berry