A Day So Happy

Posted May 24, 2006
Filed under: Poetry, The Writing Cafe is Serving, Words |

Gift, by Czeslaw Milosz

A day so happy.
Fog lifted early. I worked in the garden.
Hummingbirds were stopping over honeysuckle flowers.
There was no thing on earth I wanted to possess.
I knew no one worth my envying him.
Whatever evil I had suffered, I forgot.
To think that once I was the same man did not embarrass me.
In my body I felt no pain.
When straightening up, I saw the blue sea and sails.

Berkeley, 1971

9 comments so far

  1. fencer on May 25, 2006

    Wonderful poem. The power of simplicity and clear sight.

    Reply
  2. bloglily on May 25, 2006

    I’m glad you like it — and that Milosz didn’t let this moment of happiness go by unrecognized.

    Reply
  3. qazse on June 26, 2006

    Thank you. Milosz is one of my favorites. What a beautiful expression of
    peace on earth.

    Reply
  4. bloglily on June 27, 2006

    I agree. And thank you for stopping by! Best, BL

    Reply
  6. bloglily on November 14, 2007

    Hi Morten and welcome! I too love this poem.

    Reply
  7. Mark on June 20, 2008

    One of my most favorite poems. I asked one of my Polish speaking students to read it to me is Polish. It is really a beautiful poem. Thanks for posting it.

    Reply
  8. bloglily on June 20, 2008

    Mark, You’re most welcome. Thanks for coming by — it’s always lovely to meet someone who likes the same things you do.

    Reply
  9. Jean on April 3, 2009

    Can you tell me what means the line, to think that once I was the same man does not embarrass me –
    Thank you.

    Reply

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