A Mary Oliver Mashup Pantoum Poem
I went out of the schoolhouse fast. (“Just As the Calendar Began to Say Summer”)
By fall I had healed somewhat but was summoned back. (“Just as the Calendar Began to Say Summer”)
And now you’ll be telling stories of my coming back. (“The First Time Percy Came Back”)
I wouldn’t persuade you from whatever you believe or whatever you don’t. (“I Happened to be Standing”)
By fall I had healed somewhat. (“Just as the Calendar Began to Say Summer”)
Death waits for me, I know it, around one corner or another. (“Sometimes”)
I wouldn’t persuade you from whatever you believe. (“I Happened to be Standing”)
Is it necessary to say any more? (“Goldfinches”)
Death waits for me, I know it. (“Sometimes”)
I would rather eat mud and die. (“The Arrowhead”)
Is it necessary to say any more? (“Goldfinches”)
Isn’t this somewhat overplayed? (“From this River, When I was a Child, I used to Drink”)
I would rather eat mud. (“The Arrowhead”)
And now you’ll be telling stories. (“The First Time Percy Came Back”)
Isn’t this somewhat overplayed? (“From this River, when I was a Child, I used to Drink”)
I went out of the schoolhouse. (“Just as the Calendar Began to Say Summer”)
-Kim Johnson, using lines and variations of lines from the poetry of Mary Oliver
Common Threads 