by Mary Oliver
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.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing this…
What a powerful story about the great dance of life. Many will be blessed by this.
Yes. Many have read hurriedly, apparently, and thought I crafted this most beautiful poem by the uber talented poet Mary Oliver. What I love almost as much is the poem is that it does share beautifully and pretty exactly my experience in the Now. The Universe poured before my eyes, suddenly, many affirmations in written form. Many which I am sharing this month on the blog. It’s like The Divine is writing my blog while I take care of the business of moving on. Fab.
Thanks, Ingrid! Lil’ behind here. Ha. Understandable, right? OMG: Friday night was a BLAST!!!
My favorite poem!!!! Beautiful 🙂