 |
| photo courtesy of my awesome younger brother, MicaJon Dykes |
Hello, and happy Poetry Friday! Marjorie has Roundup at PaperTigers.
I'm in a contemplative mood this morning, excited to be traveling to Columbus, GA for Chattahoochie Valley Writers' Conference and time with dear poet-friend Doraine Bennett, whose lovely spirit graces many a Poetry Friday.
I've noticed Mary Oliver comes up a lot in Roundups, and I love that, because her work so often speak to me at THE moments I need it most. Today I'm thinking about the journey, not just as writer, but as a human finding one's voice.
I wrote a post here some time ago about a line of poetry I love: "what is your sound & when & where should I listen?" It's a great question, but it's also one that can make a person feel lacking, as if you haven't done your duty as a living being if you haven't yet figured out your sound, your voice, your purpose.
Which is why I love this poem by Mary Oliver. It offers an alternate view - not a sudden rush, not a proclamation, but something gradual, something that develops over years and experience.
I'm still finding my voice, still creating myself. Some days I feel a lot of pressure to develop faster, more, better. And others, like today, I'm content exactly where I am.
That's what my journey looks like. And that's just fine.
by Mary Oliver
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
rest of poem here
Wishing all of my fellow travelers a happy weekend!
Great poem, Irene! And I love your brother's photo. I'll be sending you a couplet :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tabatha! I look forward to your animal lines. xo
DeleteThe photo is quite amazing, Irene. Thank you for the poem. Sometimes I think Mary Oliver as my good friend, giving good hugs when needed. What a lovely poem. I hope you have a terrific weekend. The conference will be awesome I'm sure, especially with your book looming large!
ReplyDeleteLinda, the conference was wonderful! And yes to Mary Oliver, though I had a disconcerting experience meeting her in person. I guess I had created her in my mind to be a different person than she actually is?? I think poetry has that power, don't you? Thanks for visiting.
DeleteI love the peace and excitement, acceptance and resolution here. How wonderful you can have a weekend of poetry and Dori (with her Margaret Atwood thoughts)! I'm coming to a close, at least until the next step, of my novel journey, and look forward to more reflecting time such as you and Mary Oliver evoke.
ReplyDeleteI heard her read at Smith College a year or two ago, standing room only in a great hall, the first time a poet had filled it through the balconies. The love was palpable, as if the Dalai Lama or someone was there. Hope you have a good weekend with your voice before what's bound to be an active fall. (and I'm looking forward to contemplating couplets, too!)
Dear Jeannine, I am so happy to hear the progress of your journey! Cannot wait to read!! And yes, I heard Oliver read a couple of years ago in Atlanta, and it was so wonderful to see a packed house and feel the love and enthusiasm. Ultimately, though, I was disappointed. I had used her work and created her into a person that suited me -- and then I saw/heard her and was disappointed?? Sigh. There really is such a partnership created between reader and writer, one that we are free to imagine and embellish and make our own. This deserves further thought. Thank you. xo
DeleteNothing like a clean stretch of road ahead of you, lit by a dusky sun.
ReplyDeleteThis poem needs to be stapled to my forehead, or at least written neatly and kept beside my computer. Thanks for sharing these lovely words. Ah, how I'd like to be on the road with you. Have a wonderful trip. :)
Renee, one of my goals is to meet you. :) Thanks for stopping by and I love the way our journeys merge from time to time. xo
DeleteHope you have a wonderful weekend at the Writer's Conference celebrating your voice!
ReplyDeleteAndromeda, the voice that is sticking with me after the writing conference is of one Terry Kay! I must write a blog post about things he said in the keynote that were exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteHi,Irene! I'm presenting at the CVWC, too, and I'm looking forward to meeting you. I love your blog and can't wait to read the new book. Safe journey tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteLynn
Lynn, I am SO SORRY we missed meeting one another! I did see you when you asked the question during the panel, but then I had to dash back to Birmingham... sigh. NEXT TIME. Thanks so much for stopping by.
DeleteI'm sorry I didn't get to meet you too. Here's hoping our paths will cross again! Look forward to following your blog. :-)
DeleteLynn
Have a wonderful time at the conference! I love the fierceness of this poem, it always tugs at me.
ReplyDeleteTara, don't you love "fierceness" in writing? "Fierce" is my word for 2012, so I particularly love that you used it here. Thank you.
DeleteYes, Tara. That is the perfect word: fierceness.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Irene, here's to the perpetual, unfolding, ever-focusing JOURNEY!!
the "perpetual, unfolding, ever-focusing JOURNEY." Mary Lee, you are such a poet. Love! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI love Mary Oliver too! Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteRuth, good to see you here! Thanks for stopping by. xo
DeleteLove it. Have a great journey!
ReplyDeleteLiz, your comment makes me think of that old Irish ? prayer: may the road rise to meet you, may the wind be at your back.... thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThis is new poem to me. As a perpetual nomad trying to hear my own voice amidst the loud cries around, I found it very reassuring.
ReplyDelete