A Model for Me

Dear Mary,

When I first read your poem "The Summer Day," it took my breath away because I learned all at once three big things about poetry: the minutest thing can become beautiful if it is deeply observed, a poem can be a prayer or praise without ever mentioning God, and the simplest images perfectly observed can seem miraculous in the right words. Those were huge and humbling lessons on the art of poetry, and I’ve never forgotten the poem or that those things should stand as models for me when I write. Please get well soon and write more. Thank you for your every word.

Rachel Dacus