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 new voice,
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept 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.
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 new voice,
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept 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.
This poem is about transformation. Change and transformation have been a reoccurring theme in my life lately. I have observed signs that lead me to believe there are even more changes on the horizon. Positive changes are what I see in my future. It is Spring and with the season of spring there is much rebirth and growth. With my most recent birthday I realized that I am in the prime of my life. I am truly entering the second half of my life and wish to do so with grace and passion. I feel like it is time for me to be reborn; a metamorphosis of sorts. Going through the process of restoring my childhood home is certainly a very tangible way to experience this shift in my world while revisiting and hopefully putting to rest issues that began in that home. I want to live life in the moment. I no longer want to just go through the motions because it is what has always been. Do you know what I mean?
Peace!
2 comments:
It's an amazing poem. I found it in a collection some years ago. The commentary on it had me shaking my head up and down vigorously. I think I posted it back in early 2009, if you're interested.
But it's good to see it again: I find that poetry and music have a way of coming to me when I need them.
Thank you.
Thanks for commenting Alicia. I'm going to go and search out your post.
Isn't it something how things find you when you need them. Powerful might be a better word.
Peace!
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