Empty Branch in the Orchard

by Mary Oliver

To have loved
is everything,
I loved, once,

a hummingbird
who came every afternoon–
the freedom-loving male–

who flew by himself
to sample
the sweets of the garden,

to sit
on a high, leafless branch
with his red throat gleaming.

And then, he came no more.
And I’m still waiting for him,
ten years later,

to come back,
and he will, or he will not.
There is a certain commitment

that each of us is given,
that has to do
with another world,

if there is one.
I remember you, hummingbird.
I think of you every day

even as I am still here,
soaked in color, waiting
year after honey-rich year.

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2 Responses to Empty Branch in the Orchard

  1. avatar suzette sherman says:

    Thanks Aurora for all the great pieces you have given to us in this first week of the blog. They are all so lovely and meaningful. We look forward to a long journey with the gift of your writing!

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  2. avatar Kathy Brown says:

    Aurora,

    Your poem is simply beautiful. Thank you so very much. I look forward to more of your poems.

    Again, thanks,

    kathy

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