I don't think I could ever come up with a proper tribute to Mary Oliver (10 September 1935-17 January 2019), my favorite poet. But inspired by her, I can make a few promises:
I promise to keep walking. I promise to keep trying to pay attention. I promise to keep praising the Earth.
I promise to keep my heart open. I promise to be outdoors everyday with my spirit emersed in the universe. I promise to follow my passion for birding.
ReplyDeleteThank you , Jackie.
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteArt saves lives, and Mary Oliver's poetry saved mine.
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
ReplyDeleteJackie, You embody Mary Oliver's poem "Instructions for Living a Life"
ReplyDeletePay Attention
Be Astonished
Tell about it
You "tell about it" and help your subscribers see the beauties of nature, large and small.
Thank you!
Vi Strain
You certainly pay attention, and you praise the earth so beautifully with your pictures. I’m sure Mary would enjoy your tribute. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute ...
ReplyDeleteDefinitely lost one of the greats there.
ReplyDelete"In what is probably the most serious inquiry of my life, I have begun to look past reason, past the provable, in other directions. Now I think there is only one subject worth my attention and that is the precognition of the spiritual side of the world and, within this recognition, the condition of my own spiritual state."
Jackie,
ReplyDeleteAt your description, I investigated the poetry of Mary Oliver. As others wrote, your attention and appreciation of the natural world closely reflects Mary's poetry. I look forward to your intense appreciation of your natural wold every morning when I check your blog. Well done.
I wonder if Mary Oliver ever read Jim Harrison, her very male doppelgänger. Jim too would take long walks in the woods, see the joy of his "small gods" in animals and plants, write about running water, fishing, dogs and ravens he adored. His last few books of poetry remind me of Oliver's wonderful poetry.