mindful
every day
i see or hear
something
that more or less
kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle
in the haystack
of light.
it is what i was born for –
to look, to listen,
to lose myself
inside this soft world –
to instruct myself
over and over
in joy,
and acclamation.
nor am i talking
about the exceptional,
the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant –
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,
the daily presentations.
oh, good scholar,
i say to myself,
how can you help
but grow wise
with such teachings
as these –
the untrimmable light
of the world,
the ocean’s shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?
-mary oliver
my sister sent me a book of her poetry. i’m pouring over it.
Absolute favorite poet ever.
ReplyDeleteYou beat me to it Char. I want to post some of her stuff on my blog too. Haven't read that one yet, but wow. I love it. And i love the picture. And it is so perfectly you, both the poem and the picture. I love your soul my dear sister friend.
ReplyDeleteYes, let's memorize that one.
ReplyDeleteI adore Mary Oliver! I work with your parents, and they mentioned your blog to me. I'm so happy to have found it.
ReplyDeleteOh man I thought you wrote that poem until I got to the end. We should meet this Mary Oliver. What do you know about her?
ReplyDelete