Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Remembering

A friend sent me a poem last year that meant a lot to me. On this day one year ago, I read it over and over and over again until I knew I wouldn't let the night end before I'd done what I needed to do. The next morning, I moved out and on my own. It seems important to remember it tonight....

The Journey
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,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kepy you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.

6 comments:

Jules said...

I remember.

I am so proud of what you've accomplished this year.

thewayseeker said...

What a difference a year makes.

concretegodmother said...

It's already been a year? Wow. I'm so thrilled you posted a Mary Oliver poem. I've been getting into her over the past year, and she is so powerful and insightful. Her nature writing is incredible. I was privileged to hear Annie Lamott tonight in Pasadena, and she mentioned Mary Oliver as being one of her favorite writers in the world. Cool.

Congratulations on your amazing year. It's been neat (and encouraging) as I've lurked here, reading. Can't wait to hear your Yosemite (heaven) adventures.

Unknown said...

That poem was on my mind last night. I'm so happy for you and the changes you have made this past year. Bless you in this New Year of yours.

Phantom Scribbler said...

(o)

Yankee T said...

what a great anniversary. And what Cheesehead said. You know, about the pride and all.