Why I Wake Early by Mary Oliver

I read this poem at Gran's service this past weekend. We both adored Mary Oliver, and this poem says so much about how Gran greeted each day. Enjoy.

Hello, sun in my face.

Hello, you who make the morning

and spread it over the fields

and into the faces of the tulips

and the nodding morning glories,

and into the windows of, even, the

miserable and crotchety-

best preacher that ever was,

dear star, that just happens

to be where you are in the universe

to keep us from ever-darkness,

to ease us with warm touching,

to hold us in the great hands of light-

good morning, good morning, good morning.

Watch now, how I start the day

in happiness, in kindness.