Esmerelda, this is for you. Mary Oliver. I've read it several times today. And I think I've posted it here before. I can't stay away from it.
Wild Geese (by Mary Oliver)
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 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.
Wild Geese (by Mary Oliver)
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 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.
posted by Variations On A Theme at 11:24 AM
7 Comments:
I'm still reading. :-) And I love this poem. I checked out two volumes of Mary Oliver's poetry two library visits ago and I've fallen in love. Her words are simply beautiful.
Miss you.
Way to go WordGirl! Let us keep this wonderful woman writing because we appreciate the depth of her soul.
Hi, my dear, unknown friend!
Indeed, wonderful, touching in their simplicity, words in this poem! I didn't know of her, so I'll check her out.
This is Anastasia Tatiana Nisioti, a faithful reader of your blog, for approximately three years or so, since the day I discovered it; that was back in late 2008, I think, when I came across, by chance, to Halushky's Bloggy Love! Eversince, I am keeping up with your always interesting writings on here. And, as I am greek, I need to thank you for every new word I learn. I am also a blind... dwarf - or of short statue - like your friend you had mentioned on Halushky's back then, and I've studied Psychology, like him again...; I'd love to meet him.
I remembered your birthday two weeks ago, but didn't get access in order to wish you, as I wanted, but do get my belated honest wishes for Mother's Day - you are, though I don't know you, one my few friends who are mommies, whom I thought of yesterday!
So..., see, Esmerelda is not the only one who reads you! I wouuld like to contact you in person - I am not sure whether I should post my address here, or you can get/see it.
Thanks for evrything, and best of luck to you and your loved ones!
Sincerely,
Tatiana Nisiotis (you can find me with this name on FaceBook)
Hi, my dear, unknown friend!
Indeed, wonderful, touching in their simplicity, words in this poem! I didn't know of her, so I'll check her out.
This is Anastasia Tatiana Nisioti, a faithful reader of your blog, for approximately three years or so, since the day I discovered it; that was back in late 2008, I think, when I came across, by chance, to Halushky's Bloggy Love! Eversince, I am keeping up with your always interesting writings on here. And, as I am greek, I need to thank you for every new word I learn. I am also a blind... dwarf - or of short statue - like your friend you had mentioned on Halushky's back then, and I've studied Psychology, like him again...; I'd love to meet him.
I remembered your birthday two weeks ago, but didn't get access in order to wish you, as I wanted, but do get my belated honest wishes for Mother's Day - you are, though I don't know you, one my few friends who are mommies, whom I thought of yesterday!
So..., see, Esmerelda is not the only one who reads you! I wouuld like to contact you in person - I am not sure whether I should post my address here, or you can get/see it.
Thanks for evrything, and best of luck to you and your loved ones!
Sincerely,
Tatiana Nisiotis (you can find me with this name on FaceBook)
Hi, my dear, unknown friend!
Indeed, wonderful, touching in their simplicity, words in this poem! I didn't know of her, so I'll check her out.
This is Anastasia Tatiana Nisioti, a faithful reader of your blog, for approximately three years or so, since the day I discovered it; that was back in late 2008, I think, when I came across, by chance, to Halushky's Bloggy Love! Eversince, I am keeping up with your always interesting writings on here. And, as I am greek, I need to thank you for every new word I learn. I am also a blind... dwarf - or of short statue - like your friend you had mentioned on Halushky's back then, and I've studied Psychology, like him again...; I'd love to meet him.
I remembered your birthday two weeks ago, but didn't get access in order to wish you, as I wanted, but do get my belated honest wishes for Mother's Day - you are, though I don't know you, one my few friends who are mommies, whom I thought of yesterday!
So..., see, Esmerelda is not the only one who reads you! I wouuld like to contact you in person - I am not sure whether I should post my address here, or you can get/see it.
Thanks for evrything, and best of luck to you and your loved ones!
Sincerely,
Tatiana Nisiotis (you can find me with this name on FaceBook)
Tatiana! How nice to meet you! I had no idea anyone else was reading this. And thank you for the birthday greetings and Mother's Day greetings. :) You made my day. I haven't written anything in a long while (obviously), but you make me want to start again. I'm not on Facebook, but my husband is, and I'll send you a message with my email through him. Thanks so much for your message.
Hi! Oh, you should write more often, please...! I know, though, how busy you surely are on daily basis, but..., yes, I insist! Thank you so much for responding, I will look forward to getting your FB message!! I would like, finishing this brief note, to give my apoligize for this multiple posting....;, you see, my screen reader, at times, "comfuses" me, not reading somes pages from their beginning...[smilie]. Take care of yourself and your family! Tatiana
Post a Comment
<< Home