THE SUMMER DAY
~ Mary Oliver
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
Hi Pat,
ReplyDeleteI am not familiar with the poem at all but it does make you think!
Life is way too short and the older I get the faster it goes by.
I plan to live the best life I possibly can and have no regrets.
hugs to you,
Barb
Hi Pat,
ReplyDeleteI have not heard the poem before, but I like it. Thanks for posting.
Totally unrelated...thanks for posting a link to my blog on your list through the new feature. I notice that it links to Feedburner instead of the blog. It does that on another blog link I found this week too. Strange...do you have any idea what I need to do to fix this? LOL...strange problem to have
Pat, I love poetry and tend to write alot of it myself. I have not read this poem in a very long time. I totally forgot about it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. And Barb is right...life is too short.
Hi Pat,
ReplyDeleteI agree life is precious. I have never read that poem but it is beautiful. ~Martha
Absolutely beautiful poem!
ReplyDeleteI'm catching up with you. What a wonderful gift you received from across the pond.
Pat
Beautiful poem, Pat. I am not familiar with it. Very thought provoking. Aging and death are sad and we should make the most of every moment.
ReplyDeleteVery familiar with the last lines...don't know that poem at all. Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteVery good. What to do with our life??? Have an adventure! Good post.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat, great post, and thanks for stopping by today!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your win by the way, how fun was that...first time comment and wala you won a give-away!!! Good for you...enjoy your treats!!!
Hi Pat,
ReplyDeleteI've never heard this poem or the last two lines. It's interesting tho and I would imagine that we look as small as grasshoppers to Him. Something to think about.
You stopped by my blog yesterday and made a comment. Yes, I changed it...completely. I'm still working on it and for me that's half the fun of blogging. Stop by and let me know what you think. My colors are a little garish on my husband computer, but on my laptop and work computer they look soft and sweet.
Oh! Your blueberry tart looks delicious.
Have a great week.
Cori
Pat
ReplyDeleteWhat a great poem, great for us as we begin precious summer and to realize we better enjoy it, it is over so quickly here! Today is my last full day of work--hurrah! Summer, I'm coming!Enjoy Friday!
Tara
xo
P>S> The meatballs...I know, can you believe I admitted that??
A beautiful poem! And I plan to enjoy my summer...it will be a memory before long.
ReplyDeleteInteresting poem Pat...I sometimes have feelings about life that I am busy about so many things that surely I am missing something important that I must do...Then other times...I think to myself...what a beautiful time in my life...I am perfectly content.....oh well...
ReplyDeleteA lovely poem. I hadn't heard that one before. Thank you for sharing that!
ReplyDeletePenny
A poem that puts it all into perspective--thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteHi there, Pat! I just love poetry, always have. Must say though that I'm not familiar with this Mary Oliver poem though...It's beautiful! Thanks for posting it...I'm off to Google and find out more! Happy weekend ((HUGS))
ReplyDeletePat, I don't think I've ever seen this before. I notice a delicacy and nuance and insight in poetry by women authors, that is somewhat different from that displayed by male poets. Have you ever noticed that?
ReplyDeleteThis is a thought-provoking poem. There is something to be learned from any of God's creatures.
Hello Pat,
ReplyDeleteI am not familiar with this poem, or any poems actually hehehehe...but I do love reading this.
thanks for sharing, hugs always and have a wonderful weekend :)
I don't recall ever hearing one lick of that poem...it's beautiful! Thank you for sharing it. I love your grasshopper!
ReplyDeleteHi Pat, I have not come across this poem before, it is beautiful together with your grasshopper photograph, I also enjoy your quotes. Have a lovely weekend, hugs, Kathy.
ReplyDeleteI've never read the poem or the last lines before, but things like that have happened to me before with knowing only a part of something and finding out later is was only a part.
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful Saturday my friend!
Hugs,
rue
PS rubbing that clover ;)
I've never heard this poem, but I sure liked it! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Sharing this poem is a kindness. Life does move faster as we age...like the speed of lightening I think!
ReplyDelete