A favorite poem
The Journey
by Mary Oliver
1935-2019
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice-
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop
you knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do-
determined to save
the only life you could save.
~
- In Mary Oliver's own voice -
- In Mary Oliver's own voice -
~
Smile.
ReplyDeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteYep, we can only save ourselves and nobody else can do it for us. So glad to hear from you, Janice. Stay warm.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of her passing. Thanks for sharing this one. And then there's always that question...
ReplyDelete"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
Exactly! She passed away just yesterday. Her words and the way she connected them to nature will be sorely missed in this world :(
DeleteLovely!!
ReplyDeleteSO sad when I heard she was gone. I have her "New and Secret Poems" on my nightstand. So many favorites and I'm always amazed at how she could put a collection emotions and resolutions (as in your selection above) into a few concise verses. Also great photos. Good to know you're still out there. Stay warm.
ReplyDeleteSo true.
ReplyDeleteAnd so good to hear from you, I smiled from ear to ear when I saw your's and Button's comments on my post. There are some people you just LOVE.
I am appreciating the irony that I have just discovered this wonderful poet after her death. I've been reading her writings and they really speak to me.
ReplyDelete❤️❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteHope you and your critters are staying warm.
ReplyDeleteawesome...poem and views.
ReplyDeletehave a great day
beautiful
ReplyDeleteThank you.
ReplyDelete