Clear-sighted

Dear Mary,

"West Wind 2" was the first of your poems that I'd seen, when it was published in an anthology called Soul Food.  It struck a powerful chord with me, and I keep coming back to it.  It also drove me to seek out more of your work, which I've had great joy in discovering.  Your collection Swan is on my desk right now; I'm only part way through it, but I already love it.  

I love your joy in nature, your clear-sighted way of showing what is truly important.  I love that you ask me to pay attention.  

This is sent from a little wet island called the Isle of Man.  It's a long way from your home, but I wish that I could meet you some day, to tell you in person how you have helped me to put things in perspective and to show you the wild things in my world.  I still haven't worked out what I must change in my life, but the important thing for me is to keep trying.  

With very best wishes for your health, heart and soul,

Ruth Baxendale