If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,
don't hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty
of lives and whole towns destroyed or about
to be. We are not wise, and not very often
kind. And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this
is its way of fighting back, that sometimes
something happens better than all the riches
or power in the world. It could be anything,
but very likely you notice it in the instant
when love begins. Anyway, that's often the
case. Anyway, whatever it is, don't be afraid
of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.
NOT MY WORDS | copyright ©️Oliver, Mary. Devotions. Penguin Press, NY: 2017. (pg. 61)
Mary Jane Oliver (September 10, 1935 – January 17, 2019) was an American poet who won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. She found inspiration for her work in nature and had a lifelong habit of solitary walks in the wild. Her poetry is characterized by wonderment at the natural environment, vivid imagery, and unadorned language. In 2007, she was declared the best-selling poet in the United States.
I hope you enjoyed the poem I chose for you today. Feel the Joy!
I’m a simple woman who dares to see the beauty in ordinary. I’d love to connect with you and like pen pals, I want something beautiful to blossom between us. Will you join me? Selma is my middle name. Its meaning—peaceful, complete, are euphoric affirmations I like to think of myself as having. They compliment the joy I feel when I write. I sincerely hope you decide to join me on my writing journey. I Wish You Miracles.
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Thank you for this joyous post, Selma. Big hugs.
Big warm hugs, dear Teagan. Bless you. Happy Merry Everything.
<3 <3 <3
Beautiful poem. ,Selma ☺️ I enjoy!
Thank you, Raj. Stay sweet. Happy Holidays.
Most welcome, Selma 😊 Staying warm 🥵
Bless you dearest friend. Warm hugs heading your way… xo
A beautiful and inspirational poem, Selma – thank you for sharing!
It’s my pleasure my friend. Blessing you on this serene season. Keep it simple and enjoy the stillness. Happy Merry Everything, Ingrid.
Her words always resound in the heart! ❤️
Her words do that, don’t they. Beautiful poet. We will always love her for being here in our lifetime. Bless you, dear Dora
Thank you for sharing. I find Mary Oliver’s poetry to be calming. I keep her books by my bed and often read her words when my mind needs settling.
Calming. We are lucky to have her leave us so many wonderful words to calm us. Bless you. Happy Merry Everything, Heather. xoxo
Mary Oliver is one of those poets that cuts to the quick and really inspires me. She conveys so much wisdom and hope in her words.
Oh yes, I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t like Mary Oliver. Lovely verses she contributed to our lives. Thanks for commenting, dear Dawn. Bless you always and may the holidays be serene and uneventful. xoxo