A post shared by Toby Israel (@tobyintheworld) on Jun 26, 2017 at 12:33pm PDT

 

“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

~