Friday, January 13, 2023

Mary Oliver: Invitation

Invitation

Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while 
out of your busy
 
and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles
 
for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note, 
or the lowest,
 
or the most expressive of mirth, 
or the most tender? 
Their strong, blunt beaks  
drink the air
 
as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake 
and not for mine
 
and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude –
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing
just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in the broken world.
I beg of you,
do not walk by 
without pausing
to attend to this 
rather ridiculous performance.
 
It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote: 
You must change your life.
 
Mary Oliver

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