Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
Mary Oliver, “The Summer Day”
I no longer remember whose post it was that first introduced me to Mary Oliver, but, I am forever grateful for it and the moment when I first experienced her words; words so well woven that they continue to ring the clarion call to nature and life for me.
It was the quote above that captured my attention, probably six or so years ago. I am still trying to form an answer. Perhaps, for me, what I plan to do is what I have always done; searching for meaning and purpose in my wanderings through the pathways of life.
On a recent pleasant, clear and less humid evening, I had an itch to be out and about in nature. Not quite dusk, I knew it would soon be, so needed to move with some purpose and plan, which led me to Lake Katherine and the mile or so walk around the lake.
Isn’t it funny how a place can sometimes beckon us?
I am glad I answered the call.
My reward was a time to reflect after a busy day and time to clear my head of details and worry. As I walked, I could feel the beat of my heart and the echo of my steps. A gaggle of local geese held a conference and two small children crept close to a pair of black ducks. Runners slipped past me and young lovers toward me as the sun slowly swallowed the shore and a lone Great Blue Heron waited patiently in the reeds for his next bite.
Mary Oliver’s birthday is today.
While I am still not clear as to what is my plan, I am clear that I will continue my brief but meaningful wanderings in nature as my steps creep all the closer to my own setting sun.
So it was on another day’s walk-about that I came upon a field of gold. I thought I could hear the “goldenrod whispering goodbye” as I marveled at its bright, yellow color; a mass of madness in nature’s closing performances as one season sets into another. Here’s to Mary Oliver and to each of our own wild and precious lives.
Song for Autumn by Mary Oliver
In the deep fall
don’t you imagine the leaves think how
comfortable it will be to touch
the earth instead of the
nothingness of air and the endless
freshets of wind? And don’t you think
the trees themselves, especially those with mossy,
warm caves, begin to think
of the birds that will come — six, a dozen — to sleep
inside their bodies? And don’t you hear
the goldenrod whispering goodbye,
the everlasting being crowned with the first
tuffets of snow? The pond
vanishes, and the white field over which
the fox runs so quickly brings out
its blue shadows. And the wind pumps its
bellows. And at evening especially,
the piled firewood shifts a little,
longing to be on its way.
From “New and Selected Poems Volume Two”
Truly lovely, both your thoughtful words and images, Penny! Your wild and precious journey is a joy to all who know you, my friend. Walking in nature always feels like a meditation, especially if there is water to gaze upon. After our morning at 3 French Hens in the lovely park along the quiet water, we spent the whole afternoon hiking at Starved Rock State Park, overlooking the rushing river and a waterfall. It was a wonderful time to reflect and count our blessings! ♡
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Oh, Dawn, that sounds like a perfect day – 3 French Hens Market AND Starved Rock! You are certainly using your “wild and precious life”. Sounds like a most glorious day.
I missed all the French Hens Markets this year (maybe I’ll make it to the holiday one) – but, always a journey to go on, if only we take it.
Thank you, Dawn, I appreciate your kind words.
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Thank you so much Penny, I needed to be reminded of what to do with with my wild and precious life.
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You’re welcome, Gerlinde. I needed to be reminded, too. 🙂
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Such a gentle reminder of the seasonal changes ahead of us. Fall is my favorite with the walks in crunchy leaves that have been so bright with color. Cozy afternoons in front of the fire lead to thoughts of what we have done and still can do with our precious lives. A favorite poem of mine is Autumn Song by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. I appreciate your thoughts on living life every day!
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Beautifully stated, Marilyn. I try to find the best in all seasons, but, must admit that Fall is my favorite as well. I do not know Autumn Song, so, off I go to find it, knowing you are steering me a good direction. Thank you.
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Penny, I love all your blog posts but this one is especially beautiful. This sentence struck me in particular: “Perhaps, for me, what I plan to do is what I have always done; searching for meaning and purpose in my wanderings through the pathways of life.” When you search for meaning and purpose in your wanderings, you bring us readers along with you. Thank you for that. I also agree with you that a walk in nature makes us more clear-headed. I look forward to a walk at the Arboretum this morning, and when I see the goldenrods, I will remember your phrase, “a mass of madness”. Beautiful.
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I truly appreciate your kind words and it does my heart and soul good to read them and to take you along with me in words. Thank you so very much. You’ve made my day!
This is such a golden morning for a walk at the Arboretum, Susan. I’m sure you will come upon a mass of madness. Enjoy your walk there. I wish I could take a walk there myself today, but, another day will come. I love this time of year; not yet Fall but no longer Summer. I hope you see some Monarchs.
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By the way, I shared this post on my Facebook page ‘Women Making Strides – Be a Leader in Your Own Life’
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Thank you! I just went to it and “liked” it – and appreciate you posting this entry. 🙂
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Beautiful post and poem! I can relate to your wanderings, Penny. I hope you found some peace out and about in nature.
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Thank you – and I do love the poem. I did find peace in my wanderings, L Marie, and am always ready for more. Hope all is well with you.
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i too learned about Mary Oliver from a fellow blogger — early in my blogging days — and i hope I thanked the person who first mentioned her. She does understand those of us who seek solace and serenity by being out in nature. Thank you for the quote from my favorite and for the Fall one which i don’t know as well.
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I’m sure you did, Sallie – you seem like the kind of person who would. 🙂
It’s interesting how many times I will be in mood for poetry, often after I’ve been out in nature, or needing to be in nature, and I’ll open up one of Mary Oliver’s books and her words will find me.
You are very welcome, Sallie.
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It’s so interesting to read that you and others also learned of Mary Oliver through a blogpost. I did, too, but I don’t recall with certainty when…it may have been you, dear Penny! She really speaks to me. Everything about you speaks thoughtful and intentional living, Penny. You’re certainly at home in the wild and natural places and I think that’s where you refuel for the everyday. What a lovely post to read. Thank you. And how special that you were in theme with Mary Oliver’s birthday. I had no idea. But of course you did!
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She speaks to me as well. 🙂 I only knew it was her birthday from the Writer’s Almanac, which comes to my inbox every morning. The photos were just waiting for words to hand on. Thank you, Debra, and yes, natural places are where I refuel (and I’m in need of refueling today, haha).
I have learned so much and have been so inspired by blogs, especially at their peak a few years ago – and particularly from you, my friend.
By-the-way, The Writer’s Almanac is another legacy of our friend, Garrison Keillor.
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I hope she is doing well. I haven’t heard much about her since she was sick.
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I hope so as well, Nan. I don’t think it was on your blog that I was first introduced to Mary Oliver, but, I do believe it was your blog where I learned of her illness some years ago. At any rate, were it not for bloggings, I may not have known her poetry.
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