It Could Mean Everything

A long time reader of the blog, Kim Moore, sent me a quote from a Mary Oliver poem the other day saying that my Christmas post called this passage to mind:

“… it is a serious thing/just to be alive/on this fresh morning/in this broken world…”

Well, that sent me looking for the entire poem. In it Mary Oliver says what I’ve been trying to say for months now, but haven’t found the words. Here it is in hers:

“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 this 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.

Wow. There it is:

“…it is a serious thing

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

do not walk by
without pausing…

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

Happy New Year!

Love to you all,

Jeane