In My Pockets

What's usually in my pockets?

Used tissues, a lipstick, and poop bags. 

What's in my pocket today?

A poem, of course!  

(I printed several to share with my art class this afternoon and my book group tonight.)

Wild Geese
by Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about your despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting –
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

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I hope your pockets are full of poetry today!

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If you have a minute and 10 seconds to spare today, here's a real treat:  Mary Oliver, herself, reading this poem.  (So worth it.)

 

Comments

[Debbie]

If I could choose only one of Mary Oliver's poems to read over and over again, it would be this one. Thanks so much for sharing and for the link!

[Vera]

Love this poem! A great one to share. Have fun at art class sharing more!

[kathy b]

Love the poetry everyone is sharing

[Jo]

This has to be shared—I’m already making a list! Thank you so much!

[Bonny]

That poem is a wonderful addition to the used tissues and poop bags! :-) Seriously, I love the lines
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about your despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.

And Mary Oliver herself reading it - priceless. Thanks so much for sharing!

[Patty]

Now in my pocket (with pretty much the same accessories!) and a bright light on a particularly unpleasant day. Thanks Kym!

[Kim in Oregon]

WAs watching geese today at the alpaca farm so love this poem even more.

[Kat]

I just love this poem, thank you for sharing it! (also, I would never have know about Poem in Your Pocket Day if not for you!)

[Mary]

perfect, Kym! I love her voice ... the one in her poems and in real life. Her last episode with Krista Tippett is a keeper, for sure.

[Jane]

That poem is always so beautiful. How fun to be able to share poetry this evening with your book group.

[Laine]

Lovely to hear those well-loved lines in the voice of the writer -- thanks for posting.

[Sarah]

I only heard of Mary Oliver when she passed away, and what a shame! Her words are so simple yet so lovely. Thank you for sharing this one!

[Carole]

Perfect. And how kind and thoughtful of you to print them out to share with your classmates and book club members.

[Honore´]

This is such a treat...thank you for sharing . I love that technology offers us the opportunity to experience life in so many ways.

[margene]

That was the first Mary Oliver poem I heard, at least the first that made me pay attention to her. Listening to her read it is such a wonderful gift. WIld Geese is a perfect poem to share with others! (Our pocket contents are very similar!) :)