In Black and White

Dear Mary,


Whenever my mind seems too cluttered, or my health too fragile; when my emotions are over-bursting with passion; when the world is too dark, or the world is too wonderful to exist; all these times I turn to your poetry. No matter what my situation, you and your senses have already taken it in and placed it simply and skillfully in black and white, so that after reading I can breathe and go on anew. You have time and again cut to the heart of what's what and also taken me away from what's what to what really matters. I have become a better observer, perhaps a slightly better writer, by having the good luck to encounter you, a modern day female poet who has dared to say, "it's OK to be who you must be." Thank you, thank you, thank you for the many deep lessons of human and natural life you've shared so openly, so bravely. I wish I was able to do more than cover you with blessings for courage, optimism, patience and grace as you face life's challenges, now and always.

Sharon Willen