July 13: Owed Poem, Mary Oliver, "The Vast Ocean Begins Just Outside Our Church: The Eucharist"

Because of my blessed and busy Saturday, I didn't post a poem.  I owe you.  Therefore, I am turning to one of my favorite poets of all time:  Mary Oliver.  Her work never fails to transport me to a place of joy and peace, even when she's writing about the "tough" things of life--death, loss, pain.

Today's poem does not contain any of that unholy trinity, and it's a poem particularly appropriate for a quiet Sunday afternoon.

Saint Marty is going to eat some strawberries and treat himself to a little poetic communion.

The Vast Ocean Begins Just Outside
Our Church:  The Eucharist

by:  Mary Oliver

Something has happened
to the bread
and the wine.

They have been blessed.
What now?
The body leans forward

to receive the gift
from the priest's hand,
then the chalice.

They are something else now
from what they were
before this began.

I want
to see Jesus,
maybe in the clouds

or on the shore,
just walking,
beautiful man

and clearly
someone else
besides.

On the hard days
I ask myself
if I ever will.

Also there are times
my body whispers to me
that I have.

Beautiful man on the shore