THE OLD LIFE HAUNTS THE NEW

• WRITTEN BY MY FAVORITE POET ~~~MARY OLIVER
• 
  
• BENJAMIN, WHO CAME FROM WHO KNOWS WHERE

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WHAT SHALL I DO?

WHEN I PICK UP THE BROOM

HE LEAVES THE ROOM.

WHEN I FUSS WITH KINDLING HE

RUNS FOR THE YARD.

THEN HE'S BACK, AND WE HUG FOR A LONG TIME.

IN HIS LOW-TO-THE GROUND CHEST

I CAN HEAR HIS HEART SLOWING DOWN.
THEN I RUB HIS SHOULDERS AND KISS HIS FEET

AND FONDLE HIS LONG HOUND EARS.

BENNY, I SAY,

DON'T WORRY.  I ALSO KNOW THE WAY

THE OLD LIFE HAUNTS THE NEW.