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A Joyful Noise

mary oliver

The sweet rewards of an insatiable curiosity

November 20, 2019 by Melodye Shore

It is possible, I suppose that sometime we will learn everything there is to learn: what the world is, for example, and what it means. —Mary Oliver

I share Mary Oliver’s delight in exploring the unknown. Today, for example, I’m reveling in all there is to learn about this plump, juicy pineapple guava–an exotic fruit that I just now tasted for the very first time. Wow, is it ever good! It’s similar to a kiwi in size and texture, and it tastes like a tropical smoothie. A sweet indulgence, born of curiosity and mindfulness.

I planted this sapling in my backyard garden two years ago, during the autumnal equinox…

It was a miracle, really, to watch these beautiful flowers bloom in springtime, and then transform themselves into edible fruit.

…and if I’m lucky, it’ll produce more fruit every year to share and savor.

Posted in: autumn, Autumnal Equinox, backyard, Fall, flowers, garden, harvest, Mary Oliver, pineapple guava tree, writing Tagged: curiosity, flowers, fruit, mary oliver

Rest in Poetry, Mary Oliver

January 18, 2019 by Melodye Shore

There’s nothing spectacular about this photo, save for the memories it represents. I was meandering down the boardwalk, shrouded in ocean mist. My thoughts wandered, too, as is their wont on my morning walks. Suddenly this Torch Aloe appeared, cutting through the fog and setting ablaze a patch of lavender. The wonder of it all…high drama, whispered poetry.

I hope these unexpected encounters will always spark joy, and forever pique my curiosity. As Mary Oliver famously wrote,“When it’s over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement.”

Posted in: Mary Oliver, Nature, Poetry, quote, Quotes, writing Tagged: beach, curiosity, joy, Lavender, mary oliver, ocean mist, poetry, quotes, Torch Aloe

#FrecklesFriday (With thanks to Mary Oliver)

September 15, 2017 by Melodye Shore

The sea can do craziness,

it can do smooth,

it can lie down like silk breathing 

or toss havoc shoreward;

it can give gifts or withhold all;

it can rise, ebb,

froth like an incoming frenzy of fountains,

or it can sweet-talk entirely.

As I can too, and so, no doubt, can you, and you.  

–Mary Oliver, A Thousand Mornings (featuring Freckles the Harbor Seal)

SaveSave

Posted in: #FrecklesFriday, A Thousand Mornings, Freckles, Harbor Seals, Mary Oliver, pinnipeds, Poetry, seals Tagged: #FrecklesFriday, A Thousand Mornings, freckles, harbor seal, mary oliver, poetry

Art Challenge of the Month: Rituals and Routines

March 18, 2017 by Melodye Shore

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.”

Posted in: art challenge, Mary Oliver, Mindful, Rituals and Routines, Why I wake early Tagged: art challenge, cairns, flowers, hummingbirds, mary oliver, nests, seals

On Inauguration Day, a quiet confession

January 20, 2017 by Melodye Shore

P139000320170106-2

I know You know everything—

I rely on this.

Still, there are so many small bodies in the world,

for which I am afraid.

–Mary Oliver (“Small Bodies“)

Posted in: Donald Trump, Faith, hummingbirds, Inauguration Day, Inauguration Day 2017, Mary Oliver, Poetry, Small Bodies Tagged: mary oliver, poetry

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