shell ridge

when i am among the trees

especially the willows and the honey locust

equally the beech, the oaks and the pines

they give off such hints of gladness

i would almost say that they save me, and daily

i am so distant from the hope of myself

in which i have goodness, and discernment

and never hurry through the world

but walk slowly and bow often

around me the trees stir in their leaves

and call out, "stay awhile"

the light flows from their branches

and they call again, "it's simple" they say

"and you too have come

into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled

with light, and to shine"

                                                                           mary oliver

(excerpt from morning poem)

....if it is your nature

to be happy

you will swim away along the soft trails

for hours, your imagination

alighting everywhere.

and if your spirit

carries within it

the thorn

that is heavier than lead-

if it's all you can do

to keep trudging-

there is still

somewhere deep within you

a beast shouting that the earth

is exactly what it wanted-

each pond with its blazing lilies

is a prayer heard and answered

lavishly,

every morning,

whether or not

you have ever dared to be happy,

whether or not

you have ever dared to pray

                     mary oliver