I memorize The Journey, a poem by Mary Oliver, a couple of years ago and still speak it aloud sometimes when I take walks by the river. Some of you may already know it, but it’s worth re-reading and pulling close.
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 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.
“The Journey,” by Mary Oliver, from Dreamwork. © Grove Atlantic, 1996.
So what do you think of The Journey, a poem by Mary Oliver. Is it time for you to begin something? Writing? Living a more creative life? We get lots of bad advice these days and have tons of distractions. But you know what you need to do. Don’t you?
Website & books: www.susangabriel.com
Hi Susan, I was about to send out the National Guard to find you. It has been so long since you have posted. Are you O.K.? I miss you.
I love Mary Oliver’s poetry. The line at the end is one of my favorites–“determined to save the only life you could save.” Profound!
Hi Mary,
I just finished my Fearless Writing Groups last week and when I’m doing those I don’t have much time or energy to post on my blog. But it’s nice to know I was missed! I’m glad you liked the poem, and I promise to post more regularly. Great to hear from you!
Susan–I hope you didn’t forget the chocolate for the workshop attendees. Lucky ladies, for sure, both chocolate and wisdom in one place. How wonderful.
I purchased your “Fearless Writing for Women”, recently and am enjoying the informational content. Good job, Susan.
Lovely, lovely poem.
Mary, they weren’t about to let me forget the chocolate! It was always a big hit. It was a great group of women, too. I felt honored to be a part. Thanks for buying the “Fearless Writing for Women” book! I hope you continue to enjoy it.
Wow, that’s an excellent poem, one to take with you everywhere.
Thanks, John. I’m glad you like it. And, of course, I do take it with me everywhere, at least as long as my memory lasts!