Mary Oliver
Some of you may have been aware that the great American Poet Mary Oliver died today, aged 83.I loved this poem when I was 15 and I love it still:
Wild Geese
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about your despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting --
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
RIP.
Comments (25)
I only noticed afterward that there is a Poetry section. Should have posted it there.
Anyway enjoy.
I'm impressed you enjoyed poetry at 15. It wasn't my favourite. I preferred prose. I guess I still do really, but I appreciate poetry more now than I did,
It was more like my mid 20s when I read some of Mary's stuff.
I won't pretend to be a poetry guy at all. I'm only drawn to stuff with really simple themes that I can relate to.
eg.
I think poetry is better listened to than read.
I used to love Brendan Kennelly reading his poetry.
I like all different kinds of poetry and yes in the poetry section some good poems
The fountains mingle with the river,
And the rivers with the ocean;
The winds of heaven mix forever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In another's being mingle-
Why not I with thine?
See, the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister flower could be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea; -
What are all these kissings worth
If thou kiss not me?
Red thanks, I'll check out the poetry section some time soon.
TRogue Only an artist can say a hard thing in a simple way (to paraphrase the great man himself).
Gypsy you're a messer
Molly I'm flattered that you thought of me. Twas beautiful, of course.
A bit a poetry good for the heart. The soul should always stand ajar, as they say.
Thanks everyone.
(and adds moss to lovemaking area).
Sure thing. Aussies know how to keep it classy:
Love your inclusive blogs. I'll always treasure our back and forths.