Here’s a poem that seems to fit with this week. Another jewel from Mary Oliver. Please treat yourself to some of her books. I have “Thirst” on my night stand right now and I read a poem a day, like savoring a dark chocolate.
The Summer Day
Mary Oliver
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
Your one wild and precious life.
I love that phrase. I’m definitely going to check out her books.
“Thirst” is about the grief and reconciliation she experienced after her lifelong partner died. It’s beautiful.
Look at us both having a Mary Oliver week. I love that you keep her book by your bedside. Beautiful. You know I think you’re awesome, right? I nominated you for the Liebster Award. It’s all for the funofit. But only if it’s fun. More here: http://imightneedanap.com/2013/11/01/the-liebster-award-the-fun-of-paying-it-forward/
Love ya.