Mindful
(a poem from Mary Oliver’s collection, Why I Wake Early)
Everyday
I see or hear
something
that more or less
kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle
in the haystack
of light.
It was what I was born for —
to look, to listen,
to lose myself
inside this soft world —
to instruct myself
over and over
in joy,
and acclamation.
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional,
the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant —
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,
the daily presentations.
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
how can you help
but grow wise
with such teachings
as these —
the untrimmable light
of the world,
the ocean’s shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?
This is my contribution to the Art Challenge of the Month, Rituals and Routines. Want to join us? The rules are simple: “Draw, paint, photo shoot, embroider, install, write, muse …. any discipline is welcome. Over the weekend of March 18-19, come and announce here that you have posted.”
This is wonderful! Love the poem and the pictures you used to go along with it are perfect. I like the way you have hidden your name in the pictures. So many people splash theirs across and you can’t see what the image is. I’m going to have to try that. It’s a great way to protect!
It’s a fine line, isn’t it? I don’t want to ruin the pictures with a glaring watermark, but I do want people to know their origins, and to respect the copyright on my images.
Have you thought about joining our Art Challenges? I’d love to see your interpretation(s) of our prompts…
hey, good morning, melodye. i’ve just checked all my parameters, and notice sharmon has posted from overseas; i’m really not sure what the problem seems to be for you not to be able to post nor comment; but i added your link on my blogpost, so all’s settled.
thxs for playing, once more. and you got my, … at mary oliver. the simplicity, yet wonder, of every morning, day and night. it’s a delight. n♥
and that should have been “you got me”… tee hee… ;)))
Thanks for checking into this for me, Nadine. I have NO idea why I had trouble logging onto your page, but I really appreciate that you helped create a workaround. I loved this prompt, and I’m always up for a challenge!
Melodye, this is absolutely beautiful. I am just basking like that sea lion in your perfect words.
Ah, to bask in the sunshine like they do, thinking only of their comfort in the now. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Renee! I’m so glad Mary Oliver’s poem resonated with you, too!
Melodye, these gorgeous images go so well with Mary Oliver’s profound words. She knows the value of the ritual of “instructing myself over and over” in the beauty of the world.
She really does! It’s not a lesson we can master in a lifetime; we come at it a little differently, every moment of every day.
wonderful…both the little poem and your wonderful pictures. I love how seamlessly they ‘fit’ within the story the poem is telling.
Thanks so much, Pamela!! Everyone interprets poetry (art challenges…) a little differently. I’m glad this resonated with you. xo
Perfect words, indeed.
Words to live by…really live. 🙂
Such lovely glimpses of life and so perfect with Mary’s beautiful poem, that I find so true to my life as well.
Thank you!
Mary Oliver resonates with me, too. Glad you enjoyed the visit–I’m excited to see how you interpreted the theme of the month, Tammie!
You have created a luscious visual post with words that inspire. Thank your Melodye!
Thanks so much, Carol! I am very fond of Mary Oliver’s poetry. She is plain-spoken, but she encourages us to go deep. (Looking forward to seeing your interpretation of our prompt!)
Dear Melody
what a wonderful poem with wonderful photos…
A great memory to keep the eyes open every day.
Thank you and regards
Sabine
I love our art challenges, in part because they encourage us to keep our eyes open. Excited to see how you’ve approached this challenge!