Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver-- Trees

Art source: anon

“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.”

When I Am Among the Trees, Mary Oliver

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.”

by Mary Oliver

Mysteries, Yes by Mary Oliver, closing yoga reflection December 27

Judy White/GardenPhotos.com

Judy White/GardenPhotos.com

Today we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the mouths of lambs.

How rivers and stones are forever in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.

How two hands touch and the bonds will never be broken.

How people come from delight or the scars of damage, to the comfort of a poem.

Let me keep my distance, always, from
those who think they have the answers.

Let me keep company always with those
who say “Look!” and laugh in astonishment, and bow their heads.