The Journey
by Mary Oliver (from
Dreamwork)
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.
Whenever I read Mary
Oliver’s poems …
I'm certain she knows
me by heart, like the
tattered
sky, blue, patched
with white tuft
-ed clouds, pins
still in
place; every
branch a'mending
a life imperfect.
So very human
this story, I tell
myself,
scarred, scared, worn
sacred.
Where else would
God dwell?
There is space
between each thread
for love to shine
through.
linking to:
Wonderful photos and words!
ReplyDeleteHave a happy weekend!
The first I read and still my favorite Mary Oliver poem after all these years. Perfect for the end of January....
ReplyDeleteLovely poem and beautiful views of the sky! Happy weekend, Laura!
ReplyDeleteYes, Mary Oliver knows the true heart and shares it. Just as you do, Beautiful One! Happy Friday and big love to you.
ReplyDeleteYes, Mary Oliver knows the true heart and shares it. Just as you do, Beautiful One! Happy Friday and big love to you.
ReplyDelete:)When god is with us, we need not be scared.
ReplyDeleteoh, that tugging at the ankle... so strong sometimes, as the voices can be. i hear what you say about her knowing you, this echoes profoundly in me too...
ReplyDeleteScarred, scared and sacred pretty much describes all of us, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteFeast Without Seasons
great share; have a nice Saturday
ReplyDeletemuch love...
what a marvelous poem, her name is new to me! thank you.
ReplyDeleteI especially like your last line with its playing with anagrams, yet all fitting so well. your sky photos are stunning!
You story haiku is lovely. Your haiku of God's love holds nothing but truth.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and moving words.
ReplyDeleteMary Oliver writes so beautifully and I always feel such wonder that she can share feelings many (most? all?) of us have so beautifully and so truthfully. You have done a wonderful job yourself of that! Lovely lovely haiku.
ReplyDeleteI love your poem. And the photos that illustrate it.
ReplyDeleteLaura...Your pictures are so pretty, and the Mary Oliver poem is so meaningful. You write beautifully, too. The first photo makes me think of myself when I am out walking and my back goes into spasms and I have to lie down either on the cold ground or a bench if I can find one. That is when I look up to the heavens through the trees and pretend I am Georgia O’Keefe with her camera. I have a print of hers where she shot up through the trees. She is one of my favorite artists, and I love to pretend I’m her there on the ground. Thanks for your visit to my blog today. It was good to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely wonderful winter atmosphere with these bare trees! Nice pictures and great poem!
ReplyDeleteFine Sky Watch images, Laura!
ReplyDelete«Louis» thanks you for your visit to San Francisco Bay Daily Photo. :-)
Great photo and love the haiku and Mary Oliver is always wonderful ~ Happy Weekend ^_^
ReplyDeletecarol, xxx
www.acreativeharbor.com
so ein Blick in den Himmel..wundervoll
ReplyDeleteLG vom katerchen
I have not got a Mary Oliver poetry book but this posts jolts my mind to get one...her words, your words fill a space that needs filling.
ReplyDeleteRe: Your poodle bath time, reminding you of sheep in their fluffiness, my two fluff balls are 7&6 this year, this is how long I have been meat free, the resemblance is too great!...x
Gorgeous sky photos !
ReplyDeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteAll the best
Mormor
I love this poem by Mary Oliver. Her poetry strikes me the way it does you - so personally. I like the pictures you posted with her poem.
ReplyDeleteyes...Mary Oliver touches me and seems to be my words for so many occasions.
ReplyDeletelovely
Fabulous pictures and words. This poem spoke to me of what I have been agonizing over...and all along it was me, my voice and I finally breaking through!!
ReplyDeleteI love this poem by Mary Oliver and it has been very meaningful to me for years! great shot that you have shared also. Beautiful depth of field!
ReplyDeleteBranches a lovely when it's bare!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful heart felt words Laura from both of you. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words and pics, as always.
ReplyDeleteIt's really a wonderful thing when one can find a poet that inspires you, as Mary Oliver inspired you! Beautiful poetry - both.
ReplyDeleteI like how you shared your love of Mary Oliver's poems and the inspiration she is for you. For some reason, some poets and writers can give us the impression they know us.
ReplyDeletescarred, scared and worn sacred...smiles...i like that...
ReplyDeleteand its so interesting too when you find one that so speaks to your heart....i know a few that feel that way about mary....
It's so fascinating when one gets the inspiration from a great poet of Mary's stature but also from the great pics. Well crafted Laura!
ReplyDeleteHank
It's so fascinating when one gets the inspiration from a great poet of Mary's stature but also from the great pics. Well crafted Laura!
ReplyDeleteHank
I LOVE this! :)
ReplyDeleteThis poem illustrates what I love about the interconnectedness of poets and their work.
ReplyDeleteMary Oliver. She knows the treasures of life like the back of her hand. She puts it in words, and I think, ah....yes, exactly.
ReplyDeleteI think of you often, though we have never met in person, and I pray even more.
Very nice sharing.
Les photos de ces arbres sont vraiment sublimes, j'aime leur graphisme... Félicitations...
ReplyDeleteLes photos de ces arbres sont sublimes, j'aime leur graphisme . Félicitations !!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this beautiful poem by Mary and I loved your inspired words,specially the last line!
ReplyDelete