It is one of my favorite Mary Oliver poems.
I discovered it a few years ago and I keep coming back to it
Thought I would share it here.
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.
© Mary Oliver. Online Sourcewhat you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.
photo:me
Gorgeous poem. Funny that I've been thinking about the journey and inspiration a lot lately.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog - I'd hang out in that underwater restaurant in the Maldives for a bit too!
never-ever read it until now... thank you!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't read the poem before, its really interesting.
ReplyDeleteAnd THANK YOU sooo much for the award! Its very much appreciated!!!
It's a beautiful poem and so deep and moving. I really enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
xo
@chic and cheap. At this point, I wish I was at the Maldives.
ReplyDelete@ Daiane- I don't think it is one of most popular ones. I think I read it O a few years back.
Indie.Tea- Your so welcome.
Cote Provence-Thanks. Glad to hear that you enjoyed it, too.
never-ever read it until now... thank you!
ReplyDelete