10/17/2010

Creative Fire: The Journey

 

This Monday I’d like to share one of my favorite Mary Oliver poems, and to highlight works that convey strong emotion. You can click on any image to see the listing.

The Journey
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice --
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.


"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.


It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.


But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do --
determined to save
the only life you could save.

~ Mary Oliver ~

10 comments:

p said...

powerful start to the day! thank you for this lee!

Monica said...

I agree with Paula...what a powerful and awesome way to start the day! I'm honored you chose my necklace to be a part of this.

Thank you so much, Lee!

marsar said...

this is wonderful!! thanks for choose my illo for this post!
have a great week to you all!!

Andrea.

marsar said...

this is wonderful!! thanks for choose my illo for this post!
have a great week to you all!!

Andrea.

Victoria Webb said...

Great Oliver poem- she's one of my favorites too. Thanks for adding my painting to the lineup. Inspiring journeys!

Decorate the Diva said...

Wonderful post!

Waterrose said...

wonderful poetry and collection!

Anonymous said...

oh I love this poem! Thanks for sharing it here! Beautiful items too!
--nicole

Unknown said...

beautiful compilation-- most enjoyable!

Unknown said...

p.s....

the poem rings so true...