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The Journey
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 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.
Source : Dreamwork (Atlantic Monthly Press)
Thanks. I needed a jump start today.
ReplyDeleteMary Oliver is good for jump starts!
DeleteI was so lucky that when I left to do my life, no voices from those who needed mending tried to keep me back. Thanks for this Monday morning inspiration.
ReplyDeleteHow great that you had supporting voices and that you made the big jump!
DeleteIgnore all that holds you back and keep going. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI try to do that every day! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThat was a timely poem for me (and oh, how I love Oliver's poetry!). I'm still feeling that tug at my ankles. Soon I hope to see the stars.
ReplyDeleteKeep on keeping on!
DeleteGreat poem! Love the picture too!
ReplyDelete