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July 20, 2006 7:28 AM- the poetry eater
For the past few months, ever since Liz Elayne and Lynn launched Poetry Thursdays, I have been a skulker and a snarfer. I wend my way blog to blog, a crafty anaconda snatching and then swallowing each poem that has been plated and left out for us like cookies for Santa.
Do I ever leave a poem out for you?
No. Not once.
Is this because I have no favorites of my own? Au contraire.
Is it because I am so very, very damn lazy? Bulls-eye! (What have we got for the winner, Johnny)?
But things, they are a' changing-- stepping out of the days that leave me compressed and gasping for a bit of air, instead I now wallow in these long summer days. I get up with the birds and walk the dogs through woods so green you'd swear I got a little crazy with PhotoShop.
I have more breath, more space, and today-- a poem to share with you.
Wild Geese
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting--
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
~ Mary Oliver, Owls and Other Fantasies
got 2 cents?
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wordybird says:
i was introduced to mary oliver several years ago by "the writer's almanac." do you listen to(or read) that show on NPR? it's turned me on to so many poets i wasn't familiar with. (oops! "with whom i wasn't familiar")
posted on: July 20
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twitches says:
ANYONE who posts a Mary Oliver poem is my friend. She is my favorite, favorite poet. Everything she writes, to me, is a prayer. Love this one - "You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves." Thanks for sharing! I'm going to fish out one of her books now and take a little journey.
posted on: July 20
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Ruby's Mum says:
I had not heard of Mary Oliver before today. Is she an American poet? That is so lovely.
posted on: July 20
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Jecca says:
Yikes! BP, can we not include links in your comments? I tried to put a Mary Oliver link in for Ruby's Mum and, um, your site was rude to me. Sorry, BP site! I'm not a spammer! (Yes, she's an American poet, known for her nature poetry.)
Of course you love her, BP. It just fits.
posted on: July 20
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christina says:
One of my favorite poems of all time... And I know what you mean about the green. Perhaps we'll get a chance to see each other by the time the leaves turn red?
posted on: July 20
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Marilyn says:
I love Mary Oliver...and have always loved the phrase "the soft animal of your body."
posted on: July 20
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bp says:
sorry Jecca-- the only way I can have these "open" comments without the pain of screening people etc is to have url block software--- it you want to email me the links I'll update the post for Ruby's mum and all---
posted on: July 20
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Joy says:
Isn't it such a gift to love the place where you are? I get so tickled thinking of you loving New Mexico, too, when they're so vastly different. Would you love Alaska if you lived there? Or Morocco? I think you picked a good time to feel full of life and roll in the richness of summer...
posted on: July 20
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judyblueskies says:
One of my favorites. And I love your "crafty anaconda". You delight me every time I come here.
posted on: July 20
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liz elayne says:
beautiful....
so glad you joined in on the PT fun today!!
and poems like cookies left out for Santa....yes...i always feel like the little kid who sees that Santa has actually eaten them - "must mean he is real!" - when i read poetry...
posted on: July 20
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la vie en rose says:
one of my favs...
posted on: July 20
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SuzeQ says:
simply lovely...
posted on: July 20
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samantha says:
I am breathing a deep sigh of loveliness. Her truth is like a shout of the holiest of trumpets. This comes at such a perfect time for me, and thank you for finally ;) sharing with us, oh woman o' freedom.
posted on: July 20
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Heather says:
I've not read much poetry, but that was stunning. Reading your blog has exposed me to so many new and wonderful things. Thanks BP.
posted on: July 21
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bella says:
E - this was such a beautiful poem. It's something I needed to hear/read with the week I'm having. I'm going to the library to get me some more Mary Oliver. Thanks for sharing.
posted on: July 21
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bad penguin says:
What a lovely poem. I don't know why, but I tend to forget how much I like poetry. thanks for reminding me.
posted on: July 21
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lottie says:
Love it - 'pebbles of the rain' is so evocative. I'm going to look up Mary Oliver now...
posted on: July 21
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nikki says:
beautiful.
posted on: July 21
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Rebekah says:
Like a familiar wave from a friend. I found Mary Oliver through a blogger, and I never, ever tire of reading her. And Amazon.com has sent me everything she has ever written. God love them. Thanks for sharing that this is a favorite of yours. Perfect.
posted on: July 21
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Misty Mawn says:
And what a lovely poem to share!!!
posted on: July 22
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Ruby's Mum says:
Thanks everyone. I have googled Mary Oliver. Lovely. Much appreciated
Ruby and her Mum !
posted on: July 22
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Neil says:
I'm definitely going to look up this poet. Such a fluid, musical tone.
posted on: July 22
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Meredith says:
my favorite line, you ask...
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
I re-learn this so often.
posted on: July 23
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lizardek says:
Mary Oliver is God. And this poem is one of her absolute best. Yay for you joining in on PT! Now I've got to get back in the swing! :)
posted on: July 23
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Sorry, comments are now closed.
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