Praying
By Mary Oliver
It doesn’t
have to be
the blue
iris, it could be
weeds in a
vacant lot, or a few
small stones;
just
pay attention,
then patch
a few words
together and don’t try
to make them
elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks,
and a silence in which
another
voice may speak.
From Devotions/The
Selected Poems of Mary Oliver
(Penguin Press, 2017)
The arrival
of a new collection of poetry by Mary Oliver is always cause for celebration.
Two weeks ago, Devotions landed in
the mailbox, and I have been measuring out a few poems each night to
make them last. I find Oliver to be emotionally accessible, yet her accessibility should never be confused for a lack of depth. Her advice to “patch a few words
together and don’t try to make them elaborate” is wise indeed – Alice Munro's approach.
And so this week, I shall try to channel Mary Oliver’s advice – I’ll say a few things
about the photos and then step back to let them speak for themselves.
We’ve had gloriously
beautiful autumn weather lately, perfect for photography. I’ve had two good
wanders lately, one exploring the shoreline of the Bay of Quinte near Point Anne and
the other walking along Meyers Creek Road near Trenton, with side trips to Airport Road and Bonisteel Road – excellent opportunities to pay attention
and listen to other voices.
I hope you
enjoy the images.
Point Anne
Point Anne
Point Anne
Meyers Creek Road
Meyers Creek Road
Meyers Creek Road
Meyers Creek Road
Airport Road
Bonisteel Road
Mary Oliver's prayer of thanks, and your reflection of your thankfulness. A good place to spend time. Thanks, as always for your vision.
ReplyDelete