“Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.” ~ Mary Oliver
He Gave Me Nothing
He gave me nothing—
wrapped in Egyptian cotton
and luxuriant silk,
but nothing all the same.
I took it from him
and poured it into
my thirsty lips.
It did not slake my thirst,
but this, too, was a gift.
He gave me nothing—
less than darkness
certainly less than love
and affection.
I took it from him
and wrapped it around
my lonely hips.
It did not warm my skin,
but this, too, was a gift.
He gave me nothing—
emptiness heavy
like air
like smoke
like desire,
but empty all the same.
I took it from him
and fed it to
my hungry heart.
It did not satisfy,
but this, too, was a gift.
He gave me nothing,
but a gift all the same;
still I carry it.
~
Author: Toby Israel
Image: @tobyintheworld on Instagram
Editor: Sara Kärpänen
Copy Editor: Khara-Jade Warren
Social Editor: Khara-Jade Warren
~
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