Kathleen sent me this section of a poem by Mary Oliver. She said it reminded her of Jon and me. When I read it I felt like I was seeing us through someone else’s eyes.
It speaks to the idea of work as a calling that Jon often writes about. And the joy of witnessing the world around us, something my work has taught me to do. Also, perseverance despite imperfection. And understanding the importance of creativity and self-expression.
I will read it to Jon before we eat dinner. And I want to share it with all of you too, who I am grateful for. Without you, I’d be making art, taking pictures and videos and writing only for myself.
Maybe you will find a piece of yourself in Mary Oliver’s poem or simply allow the world to astonish you.
“My work is loving the world.
Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird — equal seekers of sweetness. Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.
Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.
Are my boots old? Is my coat torn? Am I no longer young and still not half-perfect? Let me keep my mind on what matters, which is my work,
which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished.
The phoebe, the delphinium.
The sheep in the pasture, and the pasture. Which is mostly rejoicing, since all ingredients are here,
which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart and these body-clothes, a mouth with which to give shouts of joy to the moth and the wren, to the sleepy dug-up clam,
telling them all, over and over, how it is that we live forever.” ~Mary Oliver
Thank you Maria, and Kathleen, too. A perfect post on this Thanksgiving morning. Thank you both for sharing.
Thanks For reading Jill. 🙂
What a gem was Mary Oliver. I give thanks for the presence of her that remains in her words.
I feel the same Amy.