A Poem to Inspire
July 8th, 2010
In Blackwater Woods
Look, the trees
are turning
their own bodies
into pillars
are turning
their own bodies
into pillars
of light,
are giving off the rich
fragrance of cinnamon
and fulfillment,
are giving off the rich
fragrance of cinnamon
and fulfillment,
the long tapers
of cattails
are bursting and floating away over
the blue shoulders
of cattails
are bursting and floating away over
the blue shoulders
of the ponds,
and every pond,
no matter what its
name is, is
and every pond,
no matter what its
name is, is
nameless now.
Every year
everything
I have ever learned
Every year
everything
I have ever learned
in my lifetime
leads back to this: the fires
and the black river of loss
whose other side
leads back to this: the fires
and the black river of loss
whose other side
is salvation,
whose meaning
none of us will ever know.
To live in this world
whose meaning
none of us will ever know.
To live in this world
you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it
against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.
~ Mary Oliver ~
(American Primative)
Oh, this poem touches my heart! I hope it inspires you as well. I read it and immediately thought of the Life theme this month. I'm off to an out of town wedding and I hope you all have a lovely weekend.
p.s. The art above is "Butterfly Tree" and is available here.
15 Responses
What a truthful and lovely poem. Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by: Karen | Jul 9, 2010 at 12:28 am |
Beautiful Leah! Both the poem and the image. I love the black and white detail of the tree and the hopeful color and uplifting nature of the butterflies and swirls. Enjoy your weekend!
Posted by: Kat | Jul 9, 2010 at 3:00 am |
Lovely poem. Weddings are uplifting and I hope this weekend will do just that for you. Have a dance for me! =)
Posted by: Maron | Jul 9, 2010 at 7:52 am |
I don’t know why I am still surprised by the lovely simplicity of your work which speaks to me every time I see a new piece. I should take it for granted that you will produce amazing pieces and I will love every one of them!
Posted by: Tammy Vitale | Jul 9, 2010 at 11:42 am |
The poem and your artwork are so simple and beautiful! Perfect for our life theme. Thank you. Enjoy the wedding!
Posted by: Gina | Jul 9, 2010 at 12:19 pm |
Love the tree!!!
Posted by: becky aka theRav | Jul 9, 2010 at 1:11 pm |
Ahhh….. a TREE for today’s inspiration.
How befitting for me, as I just came in from my garden
after climbing in our thick-with-fruit cherry tree.
I had my hubby take some fun photos. ….. grin …. !
Posted by: Gudie/Gudrun | Jul 9, 2010 at 2:29 pm |
This is an incredibly beautiful poem, thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Aury | Jul 10, 2010 at 12:49 pm |
No words…just tears of recognition. Thank you.
Posted by: Cranky Fibro Girl | Jul 10, 2010 at 3:00 pm |
A beautiful poem and a beautiful image. A bright spot in my life today. Thanks!
Posted by: Kathleen | Jul 10, 2010 at 4:25 pm |
It seems that every time I really ‘need’ something special, up pops Mary Oliver. Sigh. Thanks for sharing it–and the inspiring painting…
Posted by: Karen Smithey | Jul 10, 2010 at 6:32 pm |
Funny how synchronicity sometimes strikes. The first time I read this poem, when you published the post, it didn’t really speak to me. Then, throughout the last days, I suddenly started thinking about attachment and letting go, and how much that is still an issue in my life. I had to think of the poem, read it again now, and suddenly it reverberates through my whole soul… Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Malwina | Jul 11, 2010 at 6:56 am |
I adore Mary Oliver. She is so phenomenal and forever inspiring.
I am curating an Art Show (I think of it as an extravaganza, actually) om January – its working title is “Visual Poetry, Verse Painting”…or perhaps “Creating from the Life Poetic” is more fitting… anyway – I will be looking specifically for art that reflects a poetic life….your art here made my smile almost wrap around my head! THANK YOU!
Posted by: Julie Jordan Scott | Jul 12, 2010 at 1:00 am |
Such a moving poem, and the tree is wonderful. Even though there is a bit of detail in the drawing, it’s full of simplicity and whimsy. It’s very fun:)
Posted by: Bobbi | Jul 13, 2010 at 1:28 pm |
Oh! This is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
*hugs*
Posted by: Sweet-Lemmon | Jul 14, 2010 at 11:25 pm |