15 August 2014 Journal Page



Invitation

by Mary Oliver

Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy


and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles


for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,


or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air


as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine


and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude—
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing


just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in the broken world.
I beg of you,


do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.


It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.


     — from Red Bird: Poems by Mary Oliver
     published by Beacon Press

Comments

Carol said…
Love, love, love this! Both the poem and your beautiful page with the book part!
Debby said…
Thank you for the pose! I hope you had a very happy birthday! Enjoy yourself. I do appreciate your blog even though I do not always comment!
Sandy said…
I absolutely LOVE this! Thanks for sharing.

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