The poet Mary Oliver passed this week. She visited me many times in my life. In the quiet moments I hold so dear, she made me feel less lost in my journey. Her words gave me hope that this great experience called life is truly just that - great - and not some meaningless consumption of resources and emotions.
Mary held true to her calling and embraced her journey. I admire her bravery to be a poet; to taste her daily experiences and distill her observations; to hold dear the things that many of us don't stop to digest and define for ourselves.
I aspire to live life with the same fervor. At my best, life feels poetic: not perfect but beautiful in the way it unfolds. Potentially half way through my days, at times feel as if I have failed. Lately though, I've been wrapping myself in a blanket of love; trying to make peace with my past and stepping toward each a new day as an adventure. My 43rd wish is to meet my yearnings, my sadness and joy, with open arms.
Don’t Hesitate
Mary held true to her calling and embraced her journey. I admire her bravery to be a poet; to taste her daily experiences and distill her observations; to hold dear the things that many of us don't stop to digest and define for ourselves.
I aspire to live life with the same fervor. At my best, life feels poetic: not perfect but beautiful in the way it unfolds. Potentially half way through my days, at times feel as if I have failed. Lately though, I've been wrapping myself in a blanket of love; trying to make peace with my past and stepping toward each a new day as an adventure. My 43rd wish is to meet my yearnings, my sadness and joy, with open arms.
Don’t Hesitate
If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,
don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty
of lives and whole towns destroyed or about
to be. We are not wise, and not very often
kind. And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this
is its way of fighting back, that sometimes
something happens better than all the riches
or power in the world. It could be anything,
but very likely you notice it in the instant
when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the
case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid
of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.
don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty
of lives and whole towns destroyed or about
to be. We are not wise, and not very often
kind. And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this
is its way of fighting back, that sometimes
something happens better than all the riches
or power in the world. It could be anything,
but very likely you notice it in the instant
when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the
case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid
of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.
–Mary Oliver
