OPreach
Dominican Preaching through Word and Image
Easter Saturday – Messenger
Today’s poem from Education for Justice is by Mary Oliver.
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 sleepy dug-up clam,
Telling them all, over and over, how it is
that we live forever.Source: Thirst, by Mary Oliver. Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 2007.
Wonderful!! A beautiful poem by another of my favourite writers. Bless you.
You are most welcome. One can’t go wrong with Mary Oliver!
yes this is a wonderful poem – have copied it into my files – really nice words – reminds me of St Francis. The photo is just beautiful too really captured the harmony and beingness in nature. Fantastic photo – soothes the eyes!
Thank you, Keith. The picture is from one of my favorite places, a sheep ranch in Nevada. It is as relaxing and as soothing as it appears. Pat
Beautiful poem!!! Excellent shot!!!
Thanks, Rexlin.