i. Uniforms of the American Revolution Coloring Book

I apologize on behalf of the dead.
                            They do not mean to hurt us.

             They show us a way to be in the world,
                            then leave us for the deer and salt licks,
the reed-shrouded fog in the marsh.

I knew a dead person once,
                                                and I consider myself lucky.

To wear the ghost of him
        like an untanned bear hide brought me
a secret pleasure I have never felt since.

Who needs lungs when you're flying
                                                          among the trees?

It's what the taxidermists all say:
We construct the infinite spirit
and you ignore the palpable soul.

Think of it.

To wear the uniform of the dead
                            is to walk through mountains.

Show me the way to the doorless sea,
                            to the river of brine and day,

and I'll give you hands to breathe again, lads,

the most important things you'll need
                                                to hold this land
that will never be yours.





From Meditations selected by Mary Oliver for the PSA National Chapbook Fellowship competition. All Rights Reserved.