April 1st 2023

April by Mary Oliver

“I wanted to speak at length about

The happiness of my body and the 

Delight of my mind for it was 

April, a night, a full moon and-

But something in myself for maybe 

From somewhere other said: not too

Many words, please, in the muddy shallows the

Frogs are signing”

Some days I feel as if I crack wide open and I don’t stop pouring. Sometimes I feel like I could talk endlessly. (Some days I do.) Sometimes, like in this piece, it’s from excitement or some caffeine induced frenzy, and I am bouncing off the walls to some poor, unassuming, soul or a wide eyed audience at dinner. And then occasionally I am interrupted. I’m speechless. I enter some sacred moment that can’t be translated or explained and has no need to be expounded upon. I need these spaces desperately. I can’t even explain why. When you feel unsettled or swept up this week I hope that the frogs and the spring peepers interrupt you. I hope they keep you in the present and I hope they give you peace.