Messenger
My work is loving the world.
Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird–
equal seekers of sweetness.
Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.
Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.
Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?
Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect? Let me
keep my mind on what matters,
which is my work,
which is mostly standing still and learning to be
astonished.
The phoebe, the delphinium.
The sheep in the pasture, and the pasture.
Which is mostly rejoicing, since all the ingredients are here,
which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart
and these body-clothes,
a mouth with which to give shouts of joy
to the moth and the wren, to the sleep dug-up clam,
telling them all, over and over, how it is
that we live forever.
~Mary Oliver
{today’s post is a small contribution to victoria’s monumental blog it forward collaboration; a campaign bringing together 300 bloggers from around the world to blog about their inspirations. before me there was a post from ramblins… and tomorrow there’ll be another from rearranged designs. and of course there are so many others too. and my post, a poem by mary oliver, who explains more clearly than i ever could, exactly what inspires me to do what i do here among these tea leaves. i hope you like her words as much as i do}.
23 Comments
such a beautiful poem and so very inspiring!
What a great poem! I haven't kept up with all of the blog it forward contributers, but it is a treat to see the posts on the blogs I regularly follow. The words of this poem are a great description of your eye on the world. Thanks for sharing the inspiration!
I love each photo and how beautifully the lend themselves to the poem. Thank you!
erin, I just love this post! The beautiful images and the wonderful Mary Oliver poem! You are right – her words perfectly describe what I see in your blog!
absolutely love this… the perfect way to start my day–thank you! 🙂
"standing still and learning to be astonished"
I love that, Erin. It's beautiful – and I think you do that here with your blog perfectly, dear.
xoox,
-maria
i love this poem so much. what a sweet post.
Loving the photos of spring. Absolutely wonderful – makes me want to take the rest of the week off and just walk outside.
reading you and reading Mary all in one swoop is a blessing– extraordinary grace and ordinary graces, I'd say. This poem is one of the treasures I keep in my Poetry to Save file–and so helpful to read on days when the spirit falters or work is wearying. And just look at that yellow blossom emerging like fireworks from that barren stem! With that image in mind,I can limp back to the keyboard with renewed vigor. xoxo
As I was scrolling down you were becoming my favorite poet, until I saw the name at the end and realized the poem WAS written by my favorite poet! Isn't she amazing… and love your photos that accompany the words :^) Happy day to you Erin…
Such a beautiful poem and pictures. Thanks for sharing.
"Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?
Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect? Let me keep my mind on what matters, which is my work"
Words that every woman can relate to, I think. Thank you for sharing such beauty and inspiration with us.
Beautiful poem!
ah, just lovely! i love that you shared! 🙂
Mary Oliver is amazing… as is this post. Well done and thank you!!
oh how i love ms. oliver!! your photos fit so perfect.
lovely pictures
D e g a i n e
http://www.fashiondegaine.com
beautiful shots and words paired with the shots. the tiny leaf is just so beautiful
"mostly standing still and learning to be
astonished." ~ so beautiful!!
What a beautiful post, and I love Mary Oliver's words so much. Your blog is such an inspiration to me!! I love every post you do. If only everyone would slow down and smell the roses, so to speak.
xoxo.
ev
http://diamondbananas.com
Gorgeous words and sentiments! And ahhhh, spring, bursting and pushing and unfurling. Lovely!
Very nice pictures and inspirational posts. I will come back to read more.
Nisrine
love spring blossoms! have a nice one!
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