I love this expression – it’s me to a T!
I find my self struggling to find the beauty today, sadness is overwhelming me. This poem expresses it well…….
Singing always makes me feel better.
Tag Archives: Mary Oliver
Happiness, Sadness and Singing
October, Posy and A Poem
Action for happiness are focussing on optimism this month.
We visited our Dear Friend, Ti, today and took her a garden posy, lots still in bloom as Autumn arrives.
Ti had a book of Mary Oliver poems and we read several which were new to me though I’ve posted several of her poems here before. Here’s one which we all enjoyed this morning.
If I Were by Mary Oliver
There are lots of ways to dance and
to spin, sometimes it just starts my
feet first then my entire body, I am
spinning no one can see it but it is
happening. I am so glad to be alive,
I am so glad to be loving and loved.
Even if I were close to the finish,
even if I were at my final breath, I
would be here to take a stand, bereft
of such astonishments, but for them.
Onions, Shallots and A Poem
We’ve tied up our onion harvest and plaited the shallots, all grown at our allotment – they should last us almost a year.
A friend sent this poem along and I love it. I just wish I could take the advice. 
Ablaut Reduplication, A Poem and Some Sheep
I follow Lynn Miclea, author, and today she posted the following which pleased me greatly.
I have posted this poem by Mary Oliver before. It suits today too.
Don’t you just love these?
The Valais Blacknose originated in Switzerland, photo from Facebook
A Poem, Kindness and Hope
I promised you a poem that I was sent recently. Here it is, another by Mary Oliver. Kindness is so very important, at all times, but especially now in these very uncertain times. I send love and peace to you all along with this lovely poem.
Why I Wake Early – Mary Oliver
Hello sun in my face,
Hello you who make the morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the windows of, even, the
miserable and the crotchety –
best preacher that ever was,
dear star, that just happens
to be where you are in the universe
to keep us from ever-darkness,
to ease us with warm touching,
to hold us in the great hands of light
good morning, good morning, good morning.
Watch, now, how I start the day
in happiness, in kindness.
There was a wonderful interview on the Today programme on Radio 4 this morning with a 100 year old man, Eddie Jaku, who had kindness in his soul, who had been in concentration camps and come out with the thought that he must counteract all cruelty with kindness. If you would like to listen to the whole interview , here is the link https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08y82p9
There were words of his that I scribbled down at the point of listening, that I wanted to keep for ever.
“One flower is my garden
One good friend is my world”
“Three H – hope, health and happiness – happiness is the only thing that doubles when you share it. ”
What a wonderful man! Do listen if you can.
I’ve been ‘resting’ all day as I was allowed to have the steroid injection in my hip yesterday and was told to rest for 48 hours to get the best benefit. I have spent the whole glorious day embroidering the panels that I am making for two of our LiveWires for Christmas. I don’t understand why I can have multiple injections. in my hip and only three in my ankles but I am not going to question it! I can’t show you the panels yet so here is a lovely photo of one of our planters in the Spring to give us all hope for the next Spring to come. 
Cactus, Octopus and A Poem
Our Christmas cactus is already in flower.
This beautiful creature was photographed in Falmouth Bay by a scuba diver. This report was in Cornwall Live: “A Cornish scuba diver has spoken of his delight after capturing a remarkable image shot under water in Falmouth Bay. John Blackwell, who is 72 today (October 24), from Illogan, was diving south west of Pendennis Point with Atlantic SCUBA when he captured the staggering image of a curled octopus.”
Thanks to John Blackwell
Another poem for you from Mary Oliver, one which touched me deeply. I might write my own version, a pastiche, with different items but the same philosophy and feeling.
A Gift, Supper and A Poem
Our lovely neighbour came home from an Artists’ Residence in Sri Lanka yesterday and brought me a gorgeous silk scarf in my favourite bright colours and covered in elephants which I love. The work she produced while away is both beautiful and moving. You can read about it here in her blog. Scroll down to the first one, Sura Medura, to read in sequence.
Beautiful!
I bought a new cookery book last week, The Roasting Tin by Rukmini Iyer and we have already enjoyed two of the recipes. Tonight was both simple and tasty.
Rice with Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Pancetta, Feta and Sunflower Seeds
Tonight on Radio 4’s 5pm programme there was an article about how stressed people are becoming over Brexit. The whole thing has been a horror movie in our heads since the vote was for leave and it just gets worse as each day goes by. Finding three beautiful things every day is part of my coping strategy, walking by the sea, being creative with my glass and singing with friends are others and this poem by Mary Oliver offers a walk among the trees “to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.” It is a very lovely poem.
When I am among trees
Lo Yisa Goy, Autumn Rain and Garden View
I told you a couple of weeks ago that my choirs were leaning a new song for our part in World Peace Day tomorrow. Here is a recording sent to me today by our choir leader.
After a couple of sunny days a front is moving through and so we have had Autumn rain. Here is a poem by Mary Oliver to celebrate Rain
Last Night the Rain Spoke To Me – Mary OliverLast night
the rain
spoke to me
slowly, saying,what joy
to come falling
out of the brisk cloud,
to be happy againin a new way
on the earth!
That’s what it said
as it dropped,smelling of iron,
and vanished
like a dream of the ocean
into the branchesand the grass below.
Then it was over.
The sky cleared.
I was standingunder a tree.
The tree was a tree
with happy leaves,
and I was myself,and there were stars in the sky
that were also themselves
at the moment,
at which momentmy right hand
was holding my left hand
which was holding the tree
which was filled with starsand the soft rain—
imagine! imagine!
the wild and wondrous journeys
still to be ours.
Here is a view from indoors of our Tinner’s Hound in our rainy garden. He is still laughing!
Tinner’s Hound by David Kemp
A Bag, A Watering Can and A Poem
I love this bag, seen today after singing and belonging to a very good friend. I love all things owly.
Owl bag
I found this planted watering can outside a cafe in Penryn.
Seen in Penryn
This poem came my way today and seemed apt given all the rain showers we have had this summer. I hope you like it too.
Last Night the Rain Spoke To Me – Mary Oliver
Last night
the rain
spoke to me
slowly, saying,what joy
to come falling
out of the brisk cloud,
to be happy againin a new way
on the earth!
That’s what it said
as it dropped,smelling of iron,
and vanished
like a dream of the ocean
into the branchesand the grass below.
Then it was over.
The sky cleared.
I was standingunder a tree.
The tree was a tree
with happy leaves,
and I was myself,and there were stars in the sky
that were also themselves
at the moment,
at which momentmy right hand
was holding my left hand
which was holding the tree
which was filled with starsand the soft rain—
imagine! imagine!
the wild and wondrous journeys
still to be ours.
Goodbyes, July Flowers and A Poem
1 We saw our Best Beloveds off on the train this morning. As my lovely wise friend, Nicky, said, “Goodbyes aren’t always easy; the gift for me is knowing that the feelings of sadness are a mirror to the love I feel.” That is exactly it.
2 Our garden continues to bloom.
Frilly Poppy
Miss Bateman
Hydrangea Seemannii
3 This poem was on a blog I read recently and it encapsulates my philosophy of finding the beautiful in the everyday where “the world offers itself to your imagination.” Thank you, Kath. The poet, Mary Oliver is new to me and I shall look for more of her work.
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
