In the cathedral, on the morning when I learned of Mary Oliver’s death – a poem by Bryn Cavin

In the cathedral, on the morning when I learned of Mary Oliver’s death
	Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Los Angeles, California.


alabaster
light spills 
slant sugar 

pipe organ
hums 
deepest cherry

and my bones 
are jealous to inhabit 
the sweetest part – 

I am hungry to be overwhelmed with being – 

to press my spine to this cold tile
let my eyelids flutter 
soft shadow
in smooth pool of pearl

and be mingled with rumble – 

and didn’t she say at last, and too soon?

and how splendid 
after a lifetime of wondering
for her to know hush of pebble 
dwell in throat of lily – 

I will dig these heels into moment		
clamor cloud-full grateful

(of course it is raining)

Bryn Cavin is a current MFA student at Pacific University. She holds a B.A. (Hons.) in Literature & Writing from Whitworth University and has held writing positions with such organizations as Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, Tahirih Justice Center, Museum of Glass, and the Smithsonian. Bryn is a former Assistant Managing Editor of Rock & Sling Literary Journal. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her boxer-pittie mix, Dalloway.