How I Go to the Woods
Ordinarily I go to the woods alone, with not a single
friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and
therefore
unsuitable.
I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the
catbirds
or hugging the old black oak tree. I have my way of
praying, as you no doubt have yours.
Besides, when I am alone I can become invisible. I
can sit
on the top of a dune as motionless as an uprise of
weeds,
until the foxes run by unconcerned. I can hear the
almost
unhearable sound of the roses singing.
If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must
love
you very much.
Mary Oliver (Swan)
