The Journey
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
Thank you. You have no idea how much I needed this poem today. I have of course read it before, but it is the right time to read it again, and believe it’s truth.
Blessings to your family,
Gwen
My favourite poem – Margot and I chose it for one of the readings at our wedding.
Happy Solstice to you and your family!
Erin in Morro Bay
love mary oliver,
love that feeling when our foot steps away and our eyes forward,
love you, too….
you bring light and dreams!
one of my favs. Love that Mary Oliver!
I too love Mary O. and this is a perfect new years resolution…
x..x