Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Mary Oliver





something whispered something
that was not even a word.
it was more like a silence
(from: who said this?)



ever since last year’s “creative practice” retreat i have been engaging in the practice of poetry reading in the morning before i start working with my to-do lists.  mary oliver is one of my favorites – no surprise as she writes primarily about connecting with and learning from nature. 

i will often run across a segment of one of her poems that i resonate with and highlight and often, the words will seem to have a direct link to photographic images i may have in my archives.  so today i share some of her words matched with some of my images.  connecting words and images is, for me, one of the most meaningful and satisfying forms of creative expression.





heart,
i implore you,
it’s time to come back
from the dark,

it’s morning,
the hills are pink
(summer morning)


  

i wouldn’t mind being a rose
in a field full or roses.

fear has not yet occurred to them, nor ambition.
reason they have not yet thought of.
neither do they ask how long they must be roses, and then what.
or any other foolish question.
(roses, late summer)



by the time summer
opened its green harbors
the field was nothing but flowers, flowers, flowers,
from shore to shore.
(prince buzzard)





what i want in my life
is to be willing
to be dazzled –
to cast aside the weight of facts

and maybe even
to float a little
above this difficult world.
i want to believe that the imperfections are nothing –
that the light is everything – that it is more than the sum
of each flawed blossom rising and fading.  and i do.
(the ponds)
 



nothing but light – scalding, aortal light –
in which we are washed and washed
out of our bones
(white owl flies into and out of the field)


seriously, i could go on.... i could do this all day, but alas, duty calls, so until next time....



6 comments:

  1. Beautiful bits of our lovely Mary with your gorgeous photos!

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  2. Oh Yes..Mary Oliver is one of my favorites too Miss Patty! Your photos are simply beautiful as always. It's as if sometimes I feel like I could just step right into one. And guess where I'd head first? The beach scenes of course. Especially loved the one that appeared as if the dusk clouds were just hovering..waiting for God to say Goodnight. Truly beautiful Patty! xoTerri

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  3. i agree fully Patty...and you did a brilliant job of capturing her words with your gorgeous photos! i especially love that yellow rose...but i am partial to yellow!!

    ps...i still didn't see this post in my feed.

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  4. such beautiful photos and even more beautiful words,

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  5. Such a beautiful way to begin your day, Patty. The ritual must settle you and prepare you for just about anything. Mary Oliver -- I wonder if she knows how beautiful her work is. (is she still alive? I think so.) All your words/photographs are stunning - however the dark photo of the water is amazing. Touched a deep place in my soul. Thank you once again for your inspiration and your friendship. xoDonna

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  6. MmmMMmmmm...... *in a dreamy way* ;)

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