We opened Blue Horses to this poem and envisioned stones, trees, clouds as we pondered Mary Oliver’s questions, and took in her transforming view of the ordinary things around us.

Mike PD/via Flickr CC
Mike PD/via Flickr CC

 

Do Stones Feel?

Do stones feel?
Do they love their life?
Or does their patience drown out everything else?

When I walk on the beach I gather a few
white ones, dark ones, the multiple colors.
Don’t worry, I say, I’ll bring you back, and I do.

 

? Angel Oak Tree
? Angel Oak Tree

Is the tree as it rises delighted with its many
branches,
each one like a poem?

 

 

Clouds by snowwhite Belgrade, Serbia

Are the clouds glad to unburden their bundles of rain?

Most of the world says no, no, it’s not possible.

I refuse to think to such a conclusion.
Too terrible it would be, to be wrong.

 

 

If you’ve found illumination, joy, or inspiration in this post, please consider supporting Improvised Life. It only takes a minute to make a secure donation that helps pay our many costs. A little goes a long way towards helping Improvised Life continue to live ad-free in the world.

Support Improvised Life ♥

2 replies on “A Pile of Stones Shows the Way (Mary Oliver)

  1. is it a stone, or a diamond
    or simply what you make of it

    surely all contains a lot of energy
    like the intricate branches of this tree
    each like a statement

    also reminds me of the work of Andy Goldworthy
    just to look at his artful creations lights up a rainy day

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *